Open AccessAbnormal Papanicolaou Smear: A Population‐based Study of Risk Factors in Greenlandic and Danish Women
Author(s) -
Kjær Susanne K.,
Poll Paul,
Jensen Henning,
Engholm Gerda,
Haugaard Birthe J.,
Teisen Chantal,
Christensen Rene B.,
Möller Knud A.,
Vestergaard Bent Faber,
Villiers EthelMichele,
Lynge Elsebeth,
Jensen Ole M.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016349009021044
Subject(s) - medicine , gynecology , papanicolaou stain , danish , cervix , etiology , obstetrics , hpv infection , population , risk factor , cervical screening , cervical cancer , papanicolaou test , epidemiology , cancer , environmental health , linguistics , philosophy
Possible risk factors for abnormal Papanicolaou smear were investigated in a population‐based cross‐sectional study. From Nuuk (Greenland) and Nykebing Falster (Denmark), random samples of 800 women aged 20–39 years were drawn. Totals of 586 and 661 women were included in Greenland and Denmark, respectively. All women went through a personal interview, and had a gynecologic examination including a PAP smear and cervical swab for HPV analysis. A blood sample was taken for analysis of HSV type specific antibodies. Multiple sexual partners was the most important risk factor for abnormal cervical cytology (OR = 4.2). An infectious etiology was also indirectly supported by a relatively protective effect of barrier contraceptive methods (OR = 0.6). The simultaneous finding of HPV 16/18 as a significant risk factor (OR = 2.4) cannot be taken uncritically as support for a causal effect of this HPV type, since such a relationship between cytological changes of the cervix and HPV infection could also emerge if the positive PAP smear was not just a measure of intra‐epithelial neoplasia but also an expression of the infection itself on the cervix.