This analysis focused on the 642 women in ALTS with an initial LSIL diagnosis. The investigators looked at the HPV test results in this group and also at data that had been collected through questionnaires and interviews. The high frequency of HPV, as measured by the HPV test, was confirmed by another sensitive test, known as polymerase chain reaction or PCR, in a subset of this group. Women 30 years of age and older were less likely to be HPV positive Women with three or more lifetime sex partners were more likely to be HPV positive than those with one or two partners. 92, No. 5, March 1, 2000.
Experts differ significantly in their diagnoses of cervical abnormalities.
In each case, the Pap tests and biopsies were evaluated by an experienced pathologist at the clinical center where the patient had enrolled and by another expert pathologist at an independent quality control center. Agreement on the biopsy specimens was not substantially greater than agreement on the thin-layer Pap test specimens.