Using ThinPrep Papanicolaou test samples to evaluate sexually transmitted infection screening practices

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Pathology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Current screening guidelines for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may miss a significant number of positive cases.
• Papanicolaou (Pap) smear samples are routinely collected from women and could potentially be utilized for additional testing.
• Evaluating the utility of Pap samples for STI screening is crucial for improving public health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of using Papanicolaou samples for screening sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• To determine if Pap samples can increase STI detection rates in women.
• To identify demographic characteristics associated with women who are not screened for STIs during their visits.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective chart review was conducted, analyzing Papanicolaou samples for the presence of STIs.
• STI results from Pap samples were compared with clinical data to evaluate the technique's viability.
• Cases and controls were matched by sample date, and characteristics of women with and without STI testing were compared using bivariate analyses.

Main Results:

• Of 50 STI-positive patients, 13 (26.0%) were not screened for STIs during their visit.
• Women without STI screening were older, more likely to be non-Hispanic White, and married compared to those screened.
• Common STIs detected in Pap samples included Mycoplasma genitalium (29.3%) and chlamydia (17.2%).

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion of STI-positive patients were not screened, indicating a gap in current testing protocols.
• Utilizing Papanicolaou samples offers a potential strategy to enhance STI screening coverage in the female population.
• This approach may help identify untreated STIs in women who do not meet current screening criteria.