Women with low-grade abnormalities on Pap smear should be referred for colposcopy

To assess cytological, colposcopic and histological outcomes in women referred to a teaching hospital dysplasia clinic with low-grade changes on screening Pap smear.

Analysis of a computerised database.

Repeating the Pap test was of little value. Fifteen percent of women with low-grade changes on the referral smear had biopsy proven high-grade change. There was little difference in biopsy proven high-grade change in women referred with an 'abnormal smear of uncertain significance' (23%) or 'an abnormal smear of uncertain significance-possible high-grade change' (24%).

Given these findings and the current medico-legal climate, immediate referral of women with low-grade changes on routine cytology is indicated, and seems a safer option than the more conservative approach of a repeat smear in 6 or 12 months. Further study of the usefulness of separating smears of uncertain significance into high-grade and low-grade categories is warranted. Consumer input into recommendations for management of Pap smear abnormalities is required.