Cervical cytology abnormalities and HPV prevalence in Turkish women over 12 years
Photo by Navy Medicine / Unsplash
Key Takeaway
Consider that younger women (18–20 years) had the highest cervical cytology abnormality rate (12.78%) in this single-center retrospective study.
This retrospective cohort study analyzed 83,148 cervical smear records (76,232 evaluable) from women aged ≥21 years at a tertiary care center in Istanbul, Turkey, over a 12-year period (January 2014 to December 2025). The study aimed to describe the distribution and temporal trends of cervical cytological abnormalities, HPV prevalence and genotype distribution, and cytology-histopathology concordance.
The overall epithelial cell abnormality rate was 7.93%. The most common abnormality was atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (5.83%), followed by low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (1.77%). Notably, the epithelial cell abnormality rate was highest in the 18–20 age group at 12.78%, and there was a significant inverse correlation between abnormality rate and age (r = −0.955, p < 0.05).
HPV testing was performed on a subset of the study population based on clinical indications and kit availability, which limits the generalizability of HPV prevalence data. Safety and tolerability were not reported. The study is retrospective and from a single tertiary care center, which may limit its external validity.
For clinicians, these findings highlight that younger women (18–20 years) have a higher rate of cervical cytological abnormalities, which may inform screening strategies. However, due to the study's limitations, these results should be interpreted cautiously and not directly extrapolated to other populations.
More on Cervical Cancer
Tandem-ring applicator lowers rectal and sigmoid doses compared to tandem-ovoid in cervical cancer patients
New applicator lowers radiation to rectum in cervical cancer treatment
This randomized controlled trial enrolled 36 eligible patients who completed pelvic external beam radiotherapy. The study compared tandem-ri…
A small trial found a tandem-ring applicator reduced radiation dose to the rectum and sigmoid colon compared to a tandem-ovoid device during…
Meta-regression of cervical cancer brachytherapy applicators shows interstitial needles improve target dose objectives
Adding needles to cervical cancer treatment boosts target dose for most patients
This systematic review and meta-regression analyzed 34 studies from clinical practices regarding cervical cancer brachytherapy. The authors …
Adding needles to standard cervical cancer radiation tools improved target dose for most patients without hurting nearby organs, based on da…
Meta-analysis finds acupuncture improves pain and function in cervical cancer patients
Acupuncture helps cervical cancer patients feel less pain and move better
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 627 cervical cancer patients found that acupuncture combined with conventional treatment signifi…
New research shows adding acupuncture to standard care significantly reduces pain and improves daily function for women with cervical cancer…
Review of botanical drugs targeting cervical HPV infection and lesions
New plant compounds may help clear stubborn HPV infections before cancer starts
This review examines botanical drugs and their bioactive metabolites for cervical HPV infection, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions…
Researchers found that specific plant medicines might help the body clear the HPV virus that causes cervical cancer
View Original Abstract ↓
IntroductionCervical cancer screening through cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is essential for early detection of precancerous lesions, yet long-term institutional data integrating cytological trends, HPV genotype epidemiology, and diagnostic performance from Turkey remain limited. This study aimed to analyze the distribution and temporal trends of cervical cytological abnormalities, HPV prevalence and genotype distribution, and cytology-histopathology concordance over a 12-year period at a tertiary care center in Istanbul.MethodsA retrospective analysis of all cervical smear samples collected between January 2014 and December 2025 was conducted. Cytology results were classified according to the Bethesda 2014 system. HPV testing, which was performed on a subset of the study population based on clinical indications and kit availability, included mRNA-based assay (Aptima, 2020–2021, n = 4,648) and DNA genotyping (2024–2025, n = 4,308). Cytology-histopathology correlation was assessed for cases with biopsy within 180 days.ResultsAmong 83,148 cervical smear records, 76,232 evaluable results from women aged ≥21 years were included. The overall epithelial cell abnormality rate was 7.93%, with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (5.83%) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (1.77%) being the most common findings. Epithelial cell abnormality rates varied significantly across age groups, with the highest rate in the 18–20 age group (12.78%) and a significant inverse correlation with increasing age (r = −0.955, p
Digital serious games improved public health knowledge and attitudes versus traditional education in 19 countries
Digital games boost health knowledge and attitudes in nonprofessional participants
Related in Primary Care & Family Medicine
Radiopharmacy services and staffing patterns in South African academic hospitals
Hospital staffing gaps found in South African nuclear medicine
This retrospective, descriptive, and quantitative cohort study examined radiopharmacy services and staffing across 7 South African academic …
A study of South African academic hospitals reveals significant shortages in radiopharmacist staffing despite available imaging technology.
Permanent night shift work associated with increased chronic kidney disease risk in UK Biobank participants
Permanent night shift work linked to kidney disease risk
This prospective cohort study of UK Biobank participants found an association between permanent night shift work and increased risk of incid…
Working permanent night shifts may increase your risk of developing chronic kidney disease, according to a large study of UK Biobank partici…
Lower rest-activity rhythm parameters associated with increased abdominal aortic aneurysm risk
Irregular daily activity rhythms may increase aneurysm risk
This cohort study of 78,282 UK Biobank participants found that lower accelerometer-derived rest-activity rhythm parameters are associated wi…
Your body's daily rhythm might hold clues to preventing abdominal aortic aneurysms, a dangerous swelling in the body's main artery.
Mini-review discusses post-discharge care transitions for people living with HIV
Hospital discharge transitions impact outcomes for people with HIV
This mini-review examines post-discharge care transitions for hospitalized people living with HIV, particularly in low-income settings. The …
Recent data shows that nearly one in five people with HIV are readmitted to the hospital after being discharged in low-income settings.
From Other Specialties
Systematic review and meta-analysis shows cefotiam reduces postoperative infection in clean surgery
Cefotiam cuts post-surgery infection risk by half compared to no antibiotics
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated cefotiam prophylaxis versus no antibiotic prophylaxis or other beta-lactam agents in adul…
A large review found cefotiam lowers infection risk after clean surgery. It works as well as other common antibiotics without causing more s…
Therapeutic Touch Reduces Crying and Improves Sleep in Infants With Colic
Therapeutic touch reduces crying in babies with colic
This randomized controlled trial in 96 infants with colic found that therapeutic touch based on Watson's Human Care Theory significantly red…
A new trial shows gentle therapeutic touch helps babies cry less and sleep better when they have infantile colic.
Mycophenolate mofetil non-inferior to prednisone for first-episode nephrotic syndrome in children
Mycophenolate Mofetil Offers Alternative to Steroids for Nephrotic Syndrome
This phase 3 non-inferiority trial randomized 272 children aged 1-10 years with first-episode steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome to mycoph…
A new trial shows mycophenolate mofetil works as well as prednisone for children with nephrotic syndrome, with fewer steroid side effects.
AquOTic water competency intervention improves outcomes in children with autism
Water therapy improves skills for children with autism spectrum disorder
This pre-post cohort study of 37 children with autism ages 5 to 9 found that a 10-week occupational therapy-based water competency intervent…
A water-based occupational therapy program significantly improved performance and satisfaction scores in children with autism spectrum disor…