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Is liquid-based pap testing affected by water-based lubricant?
Jon K Hathaway1, Pramod K Pathak, Rhonda Maney
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University and Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, Michigan 48909, USA. Jon.Hathaway@byu.net
Water-based lubricant does not impact liquid-based Pap test results or secondary diagnoses like yeast infections. This study found no significant difference in abnormal cytology rates when lubricant was used.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic cytology
- Diagnostic accuracy
Background:
- Liquid-based cytology is a common method for cervical cancer screening.
- The potential impact of lubricants on test accuracy is a clinical concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of water-based lubricant on liquid-based Pap test cytology.
- To assess lubricant's influence on secondary diagnoses in Pap tests.
Main Methods:
- 200 women underwent simultaneous Pap test collections.
- One specimen was intentionally contaminated with water-based lubricant post-collection.
- Cytopathologists analyzed specimens, blinded to contamination status.
Main Results:
- Abnormal cytology rates were similar between lubricant-contaminated (6.5%) and control (7.0%) specimens.
- Discordance rate between paired specimens was 7.5%, comparable to conventional methods.
- Secondary diagnoses (yeast, bacterial vaginosis) showed no significant difference.
Conclusions:
- Water-based lubricant does not adversely affect liquid-based Pap test results.
- Lubricant use does not interfere with the detection of common secondary diagnoses.
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