SUBOPTIMAL RATES OF CERVICAL TESTING

It is estimated that over 11,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and nearly 4000 women will die of cancer of the cervix this year. A high percentage of women will develop abnormal cervical pathology-a precursor to cervical cancer. Guidelines recommend Pap screening at least every 3 years for all women and annual screening for women greater than 30 years of age.

According to a study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, women with IBD like ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease have a high incidence of abnormal cervical cytology. However they are tested for cervical abnormalities at suboptimal rates.

Using the PharMetrics Patient-Centric Database (1996 to 2005), doctors identified cases of IBD and matched controls via a validated algorithm. With logistic regression, they compared utilization of cervical testing with IBD case status, patients' age, use of immunosuppressive medications, Medicaid insurance status and use of primary care services.

Although Cervical malignancy is largely preventable through proper screening half of all women –especially those with IBD who receive the diagnosis of cervical cancer have never been screened. This has to be changed through proper education. Quality improvement initiatives are needed to improve disease prevention services for women with IBD.

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology; 2009: 7(5): 549-553