Cervical Cancer Screening and Pap Test Non-Adherence Risk Factors in Systemic Sclerosis Patients Publisher Pubmed



Kavosi H¹ ; Javinani A¹ ; Kazemirahmatabadi Z¹ ; Alyasin A^{2, 3} ; Sefidbakht S⁴ ; Gharibdoost F¹ ; Jamshidi AR¹ ; Mirbeyk M¹ ; Imeni V¹ ; Gorgani F¹ ; Tamartash Z¹ Show Affiliations
Source: European Journal of Cancer Prevention Published:2020

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis is a rare autoimmune disorder that potentially affects nearly every organ of the body. Malignancies are one of the most common non-systemic sclerosis related cause of mortality. There are controversial findings regarding the cervical cancer rate among these patients, but prolonged immunosuppressive medication makes them more susceptible to cervical cancer. In the present study, we have aimed to investigate the cervical cancer screening result and the Pap test non-adherence risk factors among systemic sclerosis patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 systemic sclerosis patients. The clinicodemographic variables in addition to cervical cancer risk factors were obtained from the patients. Pap test performed using the liquid-based method. The non-adherence risk factors were determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Benign inflammatory and atrophic changes were reported in 26 and 5%, respectively. None of the cases had abnormal cytological finding. Twenty-two percent of the participants were a routine Pap test performer. According to the multivariate model, higher age was associated with Pap test non-adherence [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.058 (1.010-1.108) and P-value: 0.018]. In the present study, we have shown that compliance with Pap test performing is extremely low among Iranian systemic sclerosis patients. In addition, we have demonstrated that older age is a risk factor for non-adherence. These findings highlighted the crucial role of the physicians in motivating the patients toward cancer screening. © 2020 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.