Screening colposcopy in genitourinary medicine

A prospective study of new female patients attending the Genitourinary Medicine Department in Doncaster was carried out to look at the value of colposcopic examination at their first attendance. Of the 100 randomized patients studied 41 showed evidence of colposcopically detected cervical abnormality. Twenty-seven patients had colposcopically directed biopsies. These showed evidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (3 cases), flat condyloma (16 cases), exophytic wart (2 cases), chronic inflammation (2 cases) and normal epithelium (4 cases). Colposcopic cervical abnormalities were significantly associated, with a history of anogenital warts, sexual contact with anogenital warts and the presence of anogenital warts at presentation. Despite this, less than half the group showing colposcopic abnormalities had an association with anogenital warts. Demonstration of cervical abnormalities by colposcopy resulted in a greater patient compliance during follow-up. Screening or primary colposcopy may be incorporated into a genitourinary screen at the first visit. The procedure is both acceptable and beneficial to the patient, facilitating the detection of a range of cervical disease and enhancing the doctor-patient relationship.