Predictors of CIN2+ in Patients with PAP III-P (ASC-H): A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aims to investigate whether specific characteristics of the patient group with ASC-H (PAP III-p) findings increase the likelihood of clinically significant disease (CIN2+), offering implications for risk-adapted clinical management.

225 patients with an ASC-H smear presenting to our colposcopy unit between 2014 and 2021 were identified and examined retrospectively. A total of 203 patients were included in the cross-sectional study using multivariate logistic regression.

Of the 12 variables that entered the regression model, transformation zone (p = 0.045) and HPV infection (p = 0.005) contributed significantly to predicting CIN2+. A T3 transformation zone had a protective effect, reducing the likelihood of significant pathology. Infection with HPV high risk (non 16/18) or HPV high risk (16/18), on the contrary, increased the likelihood of CIN2+ four times and seven times, respectively, compared to the lower-risk category.

A differential approach in the workup of ASC-H cytology is advisable. Younger, premenopausal patients with positive HPV high-risk findings are at a significantly higher risk for CIN2+ lesions than older postmenopausal women with negative high-risk HPV test results. As the risk increases from HPV high-risk non 16/18 to HPV 16/18 infections, using HPV PCR testing is advisable.