Does Liquid-Based Technology Improve Detection of Cervical Epithelial Abnormalities and Worth in Low Resource Setting?

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the most frequent cancer among Nepalese women. Aims: This study was undertaken to assess the strength of liquid-based cytology (LBC) and conventional Pap smear (CPS) in detecting cervical dysplasia/cancer, and assess feasibility of LBC in our setting. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. Samples were collected from 312 patients for CPS and LBC by split sampling technique. Smears were interpreted according to the Bethesda System. The results between two methods were compared and analyzed statistically by applying Chi-square and t-tests. Results: There was no significant difference in adequacy rates, representativeness, detection of organisms and epithelial abnormalities between two methods. Neutrophils, haemorrhage, mucus and debris were more in CPS than LBC (P value <0.05). Conclusion: We didn’t find significant difference between two methods in detecting cervical epithelial abnormalities. The high cost of LBC makes CPS still a better option in the countries with low resource setting.