• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: Testing of Integrated Human Papillomavirus mRNA Decreases Colposcopy Referrals: Could a Change in Human Papillomavirus Detection Methodology Lead to More Cost-Effective Patient Care?
  • Contributor: Sauter, Jennifer L.; Mount, Sharon L.; St. John, Timothy L.; Wojewoda, Christina M.; Bryant, Ronald J.; Leiman, Gladwyn
  • imprint: S. Karger AG, 2014
  • Published in: Acta Cytologica
  • Language: English
  • DOI: 10.1159/000358246
  • ISSN: 1938-2650; 0001-5547
  • Keywords: General Medicine ; Histology ; Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Origination:
  • Footnote:
  • Description: <jats:p>Objectives: This study investigates potential colposcopy referral rates, as per the latest American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology recommendations, following the change in high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) detection methodology from Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) to APTIMA at our institution. Study Design: Rates of colposcopy referral were compared between two cohorts, each comprising all Pap samples with a diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) tested for HR-HPV in our laboratory during a 12-month period. Cohorts I and II included Pap samples tested with HC2 (n = 1,856) and APTIMA (n = 1,651), respectively. The rates of quantity not sufficient (QNS) results were determined for all Pap samples during the same time periods. Results: The proportion of HR-HPV-positive Pap samples with an ASCUS diagnosis was significantly lower with APTIMA (42%) than with HC2 (53%; p &lt; 0.0001). APTIMA also resulted in a significantly lower QNS rate among all Pap samples (0.42 vs. 4.3% with HC2; p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusion: The change in HR-HPV detection methodology from HC2 to APTIMA has led to a 21% reduction in colposcopy referrals and a 90% decrease in QNS rates at our institution. The new methodology has resulted in more cost-effective patient care and fewer insufficient samples requiring repeat HR-HPV testing.</jats:p>