Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Cervical cytopathology and sample suitability: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objective

To assess two cervicovaginal collection techniques to sample suitability and the other findings of Pap smear.

Methods

The study was conducted from September 2018 to July 2019, in a school health center located in the city of Fortaleza - Ceará. The sample consisted of 365 women randomly divided, with 184 participants in the Control Group (technique in which the ectocervix smear was placed on the slide before endocervical material was collected) and 181 in the Comparison Group (in which the vaginal ectocervix smear was placed on the slide only after collecting the material from the endocervix). An instrument containing sociodemographic, clinical, sexual, reproductive and findings in cytopathological report was used. Women aged between 18 and 64 years, who had already started their sexual life and who underwent the cervical cancer prevention test during the data collection period, were included. Chi-square, Fisher and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used.

Results

There was no statistical association between cytopathological sample suitability for the two cervicovaginal collection techniques used and for the other clinical, sexual, reproductive and other variables related to the other findings in cytopathological report, obtaining a value of p>5% in all associations performed.

Conclusion

The two techniques for collecting cervical cells described in official manuals did not differ for obtaining an adequate cell sample, being equally effective and providing the guarantee of an accurate and timely Pap smear. Brazilian Clinical Trial Registry (ReBEC): RBR-2H4MPN.

Papanicolau test; Vaginal smears; Specimen handling; Early detection of cancer; Uterine cervical neoplasms

Escola Paulista de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de São Paulo R. Napoleão de Barros, 754, 04024-002 São Paulo - SP/Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 11) 5576 4430 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: actapaulista@unifesp.br