ABNORMAL ANAL CYTOLOGY IN WOMEN WITH KNOWN GENITAL SQUAMOUS INTRA-EPITHELIAL LESION
Cytology, anal, cancer, women
Due the similarities between anal and cervical neoplasia, an approach comparable to that used for the detection of cervical precancers and cancers could be adopted by some for anal precancer and cancer detection and includes cytologic testing. Objective: The aim of this study was to detect abnormal anal cytological findings in women with known genital squamous intra-epithelial lesion. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that assessed 200 HIV-negative women; 115 with and 85 without genital squamous intraepithelial lesions (GSILs). They were recruited for anal Pap smears. Participants who had abnormal results on equally or over “abnormal squamous/glandular cells of undetermined significance” (ASC-US) were classified as abnormal anal cytology. Results: Of 200 HIV-negative women studied, 26 (13%), had abnormal anal cytology. In the logistic regression model, after being adjusted for age variables, there was a significant association between ASIL and GSILs ( aPR = 2.81 ; p = 0.022 ) , to have abortion ( aPR = 2.63 ; p = 0.014 ) and no condom use ( aPR = 2.92 ; p = 0.031).Conclusions: An increased risk of anal cancer in women with GSIL compared with the control group was found. These results suggest that following these women more closely with anal cancer screening is acceptable; Nevertheless, additional research are needed to define the optimum time to initiate screening and the best method