Comparison of Cervicovaginal Cytopathological Samples Collected in Basic Health Units and in Private Clinics in the Midwest of Santa Catarina

Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2018 Feb;40(2):86-91. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1609050. Epub 2017 Dec 18.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the quality of cervicovaginal samples obtained from basic health units (BHUs) of the Unified Health System (SUS) and those obtained from private clinics to screen precursor lesions of cervical cancer.

Methods: It was an intervention study whose investigated variables were: adequacy of the samples; presence of epithelia in the samples, and cytopathological results. A total of 940 forms containing the analysis of the biological samples were examined: 470 forms of women attended at BHUs of the SUS and 470 forms of women examined in private clinics in January and February of 2016.

Results: All the unsatisfactory samples were collected at BHUs and corresponded to 4% of the total in this sector (p < 0.0001). There was a higher percentage of samples containing only squamous cells in the SUS (43.9%). There was squamocolumnar junction (SJC) representativeness in 82.1% of the samples from the private clinics (p < 0.0001). Regarding negative results for intraepithelial lesions and/or malignancies, the percentages obtained were 95.9% and 99.1% (p < 0.0049) in the exams collected in the private system and SUS, respectively. Less serious lesions corresponded to 0.89% of the samples from the SUS and 2.56% of the tests from the private sector; more serious lesions were not represented in the samples obtained from BHUs, whereas the percentage was 1.49% in private institutions.

Conclusion: Unsatisfactory cervical samples were observed only in exams performed at the SUS. There is a need for guidance and training of professionals who perform this procedure to achieve higher reliability in the results and more safety for women who undergo this preventive test.

Objetivo: Comparar a qualidade das amostras cérvico-vaginais colhidas no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e nas clínicas privadas para rastrear lesões precursoras de câncer do colo uterino. MéTODOS: Estudo de intervenção cujas variáveis estudadas foram: adequabilidade da amostra, representação de epitélios na amostra, e resultado do exame citopatológico. Um total de 940 formulários contendo as análises das amostras biológicas foram examinados: 470 formulários de mulheres atendidas nas unidades básicas de saúde do SUS, e 470 formulários de mulheres atendidas em clínicas privadas no período de janeiro a fevereiro de 2016.

Resultados: Todas as amostras insatisfatórias foram coletadas nas unidades básicas de saúde do SUS e corresponderam a 4% do total neste setor (p < 0,0001). Observou-se um índice maior de amostras com representatividade somente de células escamosas no SUS (43,9%). Houve representatividade das células da junção escamo-colunar (JEC) em 82,1% das amostras colhidas no setor privado (p < 0,0001). Em relação aos resultados negativos para lesão intraepitelial e/ou malignidade, os percentuais obtidos foram 95,95% e 99,1% (p < 0,0049) para os exames coletados no sistema privado e no SUS, respectivamente. Em relação às lesões menos graves, no SUS obteve-se um resultado de 0,89% e no sistema privado de 2,56%; as lesões mais graves não foram diagnosticadas no SUS, enquanto que no setor privado representaram 1,49% dos exames. CONCLUSãO: As amostras cérvico-vaginais insatisfatórias foram observadas somente em exames realizados no SUS; há necessidade de orientação e capacitação dos profissionais que realizam a coleta do exame citopatológico, possibilitando uma maior confiabilidade nos resultados e mais segurança à mulher que se submete a este exame preventivo.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Brazil
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Private
  • Humans
  • Quality of Health Care*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vaginal Smears / standards*