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A Szarewski

Publications and source records attributed to A Szarewski.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of smoking cessation on cervical lesion size.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking has been postulated as a cofactor in the aetiology of cervical cancer, but a causal role is difficult to establish because of potential confounding by sexual behaviour. We have investigated the effect of cessation or reduction of cigarette smoking on the course of minor-grade cervical lesions. METHODS: In this intervention study 82 women volunteers with minor-grade lesions on colposcopy (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 or less) attempted to give up smoking for 6 months. Smoking histories were taken at 3-monthly clinic visits and verified by measurement of salivary cotinine concentrations. At each clinic visit, a photograph of the cervix was taken; the image was digitised and computer-aided image analysis was used to assess lesion size, by investigators unaware of smoking status. FINDINGS: Of the 82 women, 17 stopped smoking completely for at least 6 months and 11 others reduced their smoking consumption by more than 75%. Of these 28 women, 23 (82%) showed a reduction in lesion size of at least 20% or 4 mm2 compared with 13 (28%) of the 47 non-quitters (odds ratio 12.0 [95% Cl 3.9-32.7]). The remaining seven women had unconfirmed smoking histories. There was a significant correlation between the extent of smoking reduction and the change in lesion size (chi2 for trend=31.55, p<0.0001). Adjustment for social class, method of contraception, and stage of menstrual cycle did not affect the results. INTERPRETATION: Our findings support a link between smoking and cervical disease and suggest that smoking cessation could have a beneficial effect on early cervical abnormalities.

Adult

Human papillomavirus testing in primary cervical screening.

Several studies have examined the role of tests for human papillomavirus (HPV) in screening for cervical cancer but as yet the relevance is unclear. We looked at HPV testing for types 16, 18, 31, and 33 on material taken at the time of a cervical smear in 2009 eligible women having routine screening. Women with any degree of dyskaryosis or high levels of one of these HPV types were referred for colposcopy. 44% of the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions of grade 2/3 detected had negative cytology and were found only by HPV testing. A further 22% of the CIN 2/3 lesions were positive for HPV but showed only borderline or mild cytological changes. The positive predictive value of HPV testing was 42%, which was similar to that for moderate dyskaryosis. HPV types 16 and 31 were more sensitive and specific for CIN 2/3 than were types 18 or 33. However, 25% of the CIN 2/3 lesions were not detected by these four HPV tests. We suggest that HPV testing could usefully augment but not replace conventional cytology. These results should stimulate a much larger randomised trial to assess the impact of these improved CIN 2/3 detection rates on the subsequent incidence of invasive cancer.

Adult

Cytokeratin expression and acetowhite change in cervical epithelium.

AIM: To investigate the distribution of cytokeratins 10, 13, 14 and 19 in biopsy specimens taken from acetowhite and non-acetowhite areas of the cervix. METHOD: Cervical biopsy specimens were taken from both acetowhite and non-acetowhite areas from 44 patients who presented with abnormal cervical cytology. The specimens were snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and multiple sections taken from each specimen. Staining was performed for cytokeratins 10, 13, 14, 19 and NADPH diaphorase enzyme. The areas of each section positive for the various markers were measured. RESULTS: Cytokeratin 10 positive cells were greatly increased in number in acetowhite biopsy specimens compared with non-acetowhite samples (45.1% v 2.8%; p < 0.0001). Cytokeratin 19 was also increased, but to a lesser extent (17.8% v 5.5%; p < 0.0001). In contrast, the almost universal expression of cytokeratin 13 was reduced in acetowhite biopsy specimens (86.2% v 96.9%; p < 0.0001). Cytokeratin 14 was found diffusely in the basal region of the stratified squamous epithelium and was marginally more apparent in the acetowhite biopsy specimens (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the presence of cytokeratin 10 may be an essential requirement for the formation of acetowhite change in association with the cellular swelling caused by acetic acid.

Acetates

Semiautomated detection of human papillomavirus DNA of high and low oncogenic potential in cervical smears.

Detection of DNA from human papillomaviruses (HPV) of high and intermediate oncogenic risk in cervical smears may predict the presence of cervical cancer or may indicate precancerous changes. Here we describe a semiautomated polymerase chain reaction system for the detection and classification of HPV DNA that is present in clinically significant amounts in routine cervical scrapes.

Autoanalysis

Preliminary report of unexpected local reactions to a progestogen-releasing contraceptive vaginal ring.

This is the first report of vaginal erythematous areas associated with the use of a levonorgestrel-releasing contraceptive ring. Of 139 female subjects, 48 developed lesions of varying size and degrees of redness. Sixteen of these have undergone serial colposcopy and thirteen have also had biopsy examinations, which revealed acetowhite areas and, histologically, chronic inflammation with widely dilated vessels and frequently with thinning of the epithelium. The cause remains uncertain but hormonal, chemical and physical effects might all have a role.

Administration, Intravaginal

Contraception.

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Adolescent

The use of cervicography in a primary screening service.

The cervicography and concurrent endocervical brush smear results obtained in 1162 women screened at the Marie Stopes Clinic were analysed. Colposcopy and biopsy results were obtained for positive cases. A comparison was made with a group of 1007 women attending the same clinic for routine cytology only. Nearly 10% of women who were screened by cervicography had a technically defective cervicogram, the main single reason being that the view was obscured by blood. Routine cytology was positive in 1%, while cervicography was positive in 13%, where positivity was defined as a result leading to a recommendation for colposcopy. The false positive rate for cervicography was 26%. Even after adjustment, this difference was highly significant (P less than 0.0001).

Acetates

Use of the Cytobrush for concurrent endocervical cytology and chlamydia sampling.

In 899 women attending a genitourinary medicine clinic Chlamydia trachomatis was tested for using both a Cytobrush and a conventional swab. In 425 cases, the Cytobrush was used for concurrent cytology and chlamydia sampling. Both methods were equally effective in the detection of chlamydia, and, in addition, the Cytobrush gave a higher yield of inclusion bodies per sample. The use of the same instrument for both cytology and chlamydia screening may represent a saving in time and money.

Chlamydia Infections

A comparison of four cytological sampling techniques in a genitourinary medicine clinic.

Four cytological sampling techniques (the Ayre's spatula alone, the Ayelesbury spatula, the Ayre's spatula in conjunction with a Cytobrush (Medscand), and the Cervex (Steriseal] were compared when used in a genitourinary medicine clinic. Over a period of two years 6991 smears were taken. No difference was found between the methods with regard to detection of dyskaryosis, although there were significant differences in the percentage of smears containing endocervical cells.

Adult

Use of the Cytobrush for concurrent cytology and chlamydia sampling: a comparison of immunofluorescence and culture for detection of chlamydia.

Five hundred and thirty-three women attending a genitourinary medicine clinic underwent concurrent cytology and Chlamydia trachomatis screening using a Cytobrush (Medscand AB). In each case, the same Cytobrush was used to give a sample for direct immunofluorescence and culture. 11.1% of samples were positive by immunofluorescence, while 10.6% were positive by culture. This was a close agreement (Kappa = 0.875). The ability of the same instrument to be used for both cytology and chlamydial screening, where direct immunofluorescence is used for detection of chlamydiae, may allow more widespread screening for chlamydia to be practical.

Adult

Cervical smears following laser treatment. Comparison of Cervex brush versus Cytobrush-Ayre spatula sampling.

For 802 women at initial follow-up after laser treatment of cervical lesions, 421 smears prepared using the Cervex brush were compared with 381 smears prepared using the combination of a Cytobrush plus an Ayre spatula. The smears were graded for adequacy, the presence of endocervical or metaplastic cells and the presence and degree of epithelial abnormalities. Endocervical or metaplastic cells were seen more often in Cytobrush-Ayre spatula smears (94.5%) as compared with Cervex brush smears (88.8%; P = .004). Also, the number of samples classed as inadequate was significantly greater with Cervex brush smears (4.0%) than with Cytobrush-Ayre spatula smears (0.3%; P = .0003). The number of smears showing dysplasia was too small to detect realistic differences between the two sampling methods. These findings suggest that, in women who have had laser treatment of the cervix, Cytobrush plus Ayre spatula sampling produces better-quality smears than does Cervex brush sampling, with regard to both adequacy and the presence of endocervical cells.

Adult

Comparison of four cytologic sampling techniques in a large family planning center.

In recent years, several new cervical sampling techniques have been introduced to try to improve the accuracy of the cervical smear. In the present study four such techniques were compared: the Aylesbury spatula, Rolon spatula, Cervex device and Aylesbury spatula used in conjunction with a Cytobrush. The total number of smears collected was 14,172, 80% of which were from women under age 35. Despite large differences between the techniques with regard to the presence of endocervical cells in smears, no differences were found in the detection of dysplasia. Endocervical cells were seen significantly more often in dysplastic smears than in negative smears. There was little difference in the rate of unsatisfactory samples. It appears that in a young population, the instruments used for cervical sampling are not likely to significantly influence the detection of dysplasia if skilled personnel take the smears.

Adult