Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Göteborg, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden. bjorn.strander@oc.gu.se
BACKGROUND: Women once treated for high grade cervical dysplasia have a high long term risk for developing new dysplasia or cancer. OBJECTIVES: To investigate if human papilloma virus (HPV)-negativity after treatment of cervical dysplasia reduces the need for frequent long term follow up. DESIGN: Case/control study based on archival smears. METHODS: Women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasi (CIN)2-3, treated for dysplasia and with recurrence of CIN2+ more than 2 years after treatment were compared with controls without recurrence, matched for age and date of treatment. High risk-HPV-DNA were analysed with PCR from two archival smears per woman. Mean follow up time was 14.6 years. RESULTS: 24% (45/189) of cases and 11% (43/378) of controls were HPV-positive in any of two smears. Odds ratio (OR)=2.5 (1.6-3.8). CONCLUSION: HPV-status 6-12 months after treatment of high grade dysplasia is of limited value for the design of long term follow up.