Abstract

During a three month prospective study in 116 sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics throughout the United Kingdom, out of 17,261 women who underwent cervical cytology, 1167 had dysplastic smears and 115 had positive smears. Positive smears were more prevalent in women attending Welsh clinics than elsewhere in the United Kingdom and increased in incidence with rising patient age. Of all cytological abnormalities reported, 56% of dysplastic smears and 33% of positive smears were found in women aged under 25 years. A subsequent retrospective study in 10 teaching hospitals suggested that past or present genital warts were associated with these cytological abnormalities of the cervix, especially in younger women.