Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Association of Swede Score and 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature in Women with Abnormal Cytology

A Associação entre o escore Swede e a nomenclatura IFCPC 2011 em mulheres com citologia anormal

Abstract

Objective

To assess the association between two colposcopic indices, the Swede score and the 2011 International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy (IFCPC) Nomenclature as well as to determine the efficacy of the Swede score with cutoffs of 7 and 8.

Methods

In the present cross-sectional pilot study, 34 women who had at least 1 colposcopy-directed biopsy due to abnormal cytology were enrolled. The colposcopic findings were scored by both the Swede score and the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature and were compared with each other. The Kappa coefficient and the McNemar test were used. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (NPV and PPV, respectively) were calculated, as well as the effectiveness with cutoffs of 7 and 8 in identifying cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN) 2+ when using the Swede score.

Results

The correlation between the 2 colposcopic indices was 79.41%. The Kappa coefficient and the McNemar p-value were 0.55 and 0.37, respectively. The IFCPC Nomenclature had sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV of 85.71, 55.00, 67.64, 57.14, and 84.61%, respectively. The Swede score had sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV of 100, 63.15, 79.41, 68.18, and 100%, respectively. A Swede score cutoff of 7 for CIN 2+ detection had a specificity of 94.73%, while with a cutoff of 8 it increased to 100%. The sensitivity for both values was 60%. The PPV and NPV for cutoffs of 7 and 8 were 90 and 75 and 100 and 76%, respectively.

Conclusion

Although both colposcopic indices have good reproducibility, the Swede score showed greater accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in identifying CIN 2 + , especially when using a cutoff of 8.

Keywords
HPV; colposcopy; squamous intraepithelial lesions; cervical neoplasm

Resumo

Objetivo

Avaliar a associação entre dois índices colposcópicos, o escore Swede e a Nomenclatura International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy (IFCPC, na sigla em inglês) 2011, assim como determinar a eficácia do escore Swede com os pontos de corte 7 e 8.

Métodos

Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com 34 mulheres incluídas, que realizaram colposcopia com biópsia dirigida devido a uma citologia anormal. Os achados colposcópicos foram categorizados pelo escore Swede e pela Nomenclatura IFCPC 2011 e comparados um com o outro. Foram avaliados o coeficiente Kappa e o teste de McNemar e foram calculados a acurácia, a sensibilidade, a especificidade e valores preditivos negativos e positivos (VPN e VPP, respectivamente) de cada índice, assim como a eficácia com os pontos de corte 7 e 8 do escore Swede para determinar as lesões de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical (NIC) 2 + .

Resultados

A concordância entre os 2 índices foi de 79,41% e o coeficiente Kappa e o valor-p do teste de McNemar foram 0.55 e 0.37, respectivamente. Pela Nomenclatura IFCPC 2011, obtivemos como sensibilidade, especificidade, acurácia, VPP e VPN, respectivamente: 85,71, 55,00, 67,64, 57,14 e 84,61%. Pelo escore Swede obtivemos como sensibilidade, especificidade, acurácia, VPP e VPN, respectivamente: 100, 63,15, 79,41, 68,18 e 100%. O uso do escore Swede para detecção das lesões NIC 2+ obteve como especificidade 94,73% com o valor de corte de 7, enquanto o valor de corte 8 obteve 100%. A sensibilidade para ambos os cortes foi de 60%. O VPP e o VPN com os cortes 7 e 8 foram, respectivamente: 90,00 e 75,00 e 100,00 e 76,00%.

Conclusão

Ambos os índices colposcópicos tiveram boa reprodutibilidade; no entanto, o escore Swede mostrou melhor acurácia, sensibilidade e especificidade em identificar as lesões NIC 2+ e o melhor ponto de corte para identificar as lesões NIC2+ foi com o valor 8.

Palavras-chave
HPV; colposcopia; lesões escamosas intraepiteliais; neoplasia cervical

Introduction

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, with a standardized incidence of 6.0 per 100,000 and a mortality of 3.41 per 100,000.11 Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Lauversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(03):209–249. Doi: 10.3322/caac.21660
https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660...
Although human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a causative agent of cervical cancer, it is transient in most cases (70–90%) and lasts 1–2 years on average.22 Bruni L, Diaz M, Castellsagué X, Ferrer E, Bosch FX, de Sanjosé S Cervical human papillomavirus prevalence in 5 continents: meta-analysis of 1 million women with normal cytological findings. J Infect Dis. 2010;202(12):1789–1799. Doi: 10.1086/657321
https://doi.org/10.1086/657321...
HPV16 is the most prevalent and carcinogenic high-risk HPV genotype, followed by HPV18, accounting for 70% of all cases of cervical cancer.33 Saslow D, Solomon D, Lawson HW, Killackey M, Kulasigam SL, Cain JM, et al. American Cancer Society, American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and American Society for Clinical Pathology screening guidelines for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2012;16(03):175–204. Doi: 10.1097/LGT.0b013e31824ca9d5
https://doi.org/10.1097/LGT.0b013e31824c...
The evolution time of the precursor lesion for cervical cancer is, on average, between 10 and 15 years, which allows for early identification and treatment. In Brazil, cervical cancer screening is performed by cytology alone, which shows sensitivity and specificity for CIN 2+ (cervical intraepithelial neoplasm) ranging from 30 to 87% and from 86 to 100%, respectively.44 Ministério da Saúde Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva Coordenação de Prevenção e Vigilância Divisão de Detecção Precoce e Apoio à Organização de Rede. Diretrizes brasileiras para o rastreamento do câncer do colo do útero. 2a ed. Rio de Janeiro: INCA; 2016,55 Schiffman M, Wentzensen N, Wacholder S, Kinney W, Gage JC, Castle PE. Human papillomavirus testing in the prevention of cervical cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2011;103(05):368–383. Doi: 10.1093/jnci/djq562
https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djq562...

Colposcopic classifications were created to categorize the findings observed in colposcopy. However, the colposcopic examination depends on the experience of the examiner and is considered to have low accuracy and reproducibility among specialists.66 Ferris DG, Litaker MALTS Group. Interobserver agreement for colposcopy quality control using digitized colposcopic images during the ALTS trial. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2005;9(01):29–35. Doi: 10.1097/00128360-200501000-00007
https://doi.org/10.1097/00128360-2005010...
Due to this subjectivity, colposcopic indices that categorize these findings were created. The International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy (IFCPC) has developed several colposcopic nomenclatures, including the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature, which is the latest in effect.77 Bornstein J, Bentley J, Bösze P, Girardi F, Haefner H, Menton M, et al. 2011 colposcopic terminology of the International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy. Obstet Gynecol. 2012;120(01):166–172. Doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e318254f90c
https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e318254...
This classification is descriptive and categorizes colposcopic findings according to their severity.88 Quaas J, Reich O, Frey Tirri B, Küppers V. Explanation and Use of the Colposcopy Terminology of the IFCPC (International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy) Rio 2011. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2013;73(09):904–907. Doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1350824
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1350824...
Another classification model is the Swede score, which was developed by Strander et al.99 Strander B, Ellström-Andersson A, Franzén S, Milsom I, Rådberg T. The performance of a new scoring system for colposcopy in detecting high-grade dysplasia in the uterine cervix. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2005;84(10):1013–1017. Doi: 10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005.00895.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005...
This system is comprised of 5 variables, each scored as 0, 1, or 2 points, consisting of acetowhiteness, type of margin, vessel patterns, iodine staining, and lesion size, which is evaluated as an independent variable.1010 International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy. Swede Score [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Nov 13]. Available from: http://www.ifcpcdev.net/newWP/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Swede-Score-En.docx
http://www.ifcpcdev.net/newWP/wp-content...
The final value determines the score that will categorize the clinical suspicion of the lesion.99 Strander B, Ellström-Andersson A, Franzén S, Milsom I, Rådberg T. The performance of a new scoring system for colposcopy in detecting high-grade dysplasia in the uterine cervix. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2005;84(10):1013–1017. Doi: 10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005.00895.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005...
A cutoff point ≥ 7 is suggested for predicting premalignant lesions.1111 Bowring J, Strander B, Young M, Evans H, Walker P. The Swede score: evaluation of a scoring system designed to improve the predictive value of colposcopy. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2010;14(04):301–305. Doi: 10.1097/LGT.0b013e3181d77756
https://doi.org/10.1097/LGT.0b013e3181d7...

In the present study, we proposed a comparison of these two colposcopic indices in order to assess the association between them and the effectiveness of each individually. We compared the effectiveness between the Swede score cutoffs 7 and 8 in identifying high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia lesions.

Methods

We carried out a cross-sectional pilot study approved by the Research Ethics Committee (number: 89861218.0.0000.5243) of the Antonio Pedro University Hospital of the Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between December 2019 and November 2020. Thirty-four women who attended the colposcopic clinic and had had at least one colposcopy-directed biopsy due to abnormal cytology with the recommendation to perform colposcopy were enrolled. Patients with normal colposcopic impressions in both colposcopic indices were excluded, as were pregnant women. The colposcopic findings were categorized according to the Swede score and the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature by a single colposcopist. The 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature classifies colposcopic findings into normal, abnormal (minor, major, and nonspecific), suspected invasion, and miscellaneous (Chart 1).

Chart 1
Colposcopic findings description by the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature

The Swede colposcopic scoring system is comprised of five variables: acetowhiteness, margins plus surface, vessel patterns, lesion size, and iodine staining, each of which is scored with 0, 1, or 2 points, and depends of the grade of these findings (Chart 2).

Chart 2
Colposcopic findings description by the Swede score and correlation by grade

For interpretation of the study, according to the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature, colposcopic reports with major alterations, nonspecific, or suggestive of invasion were categorized as high grade of suspicion, and those that presented minor alterations were classified as low grade of suspicion. According to the Swede score, those with results ≥ 5 were categorized as high-grade, and scores < 5 were categorized as low-grade (Chart 3).

Chart 3
Interpretation of the colposcopic indices by grade of suspicion

When evaluating the histopathology, we categorized the results into two groups. One group included results with minor alterations, which could be nonspecific atypias, CIN1, and normal findings. The second group included the cases with CIN 2 + , which could be CIN2, CIN3, and invasion or cancer (Chart 4).

Chart 4
Histopathological groups by lesion grade

Thus, we proceeded with the analysis of the effectiveness of each test. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) were calculated. We also evaluated the correlation between the two indices and their reproducibility. The Kappa coefficient was also calculated, and the positive paired samples were analyzed using the McNemar test, which was calculated using the free software R version 3.6.1 (R Foundation, Vienna, Austria). Regarding the Swede score, we evaluated the effectiveness with cutoffs of 7 and 8 for identifying CIN 2 + .

Results

Characteristics of the Patients and Histopathological Results

A total of 34 women were recruited into the study. The mean and median ages were 44 years old. The cytology included were: Atypical squamous cells of indeterminate significance (ASC-US); atypical squamous cell of undeterminated significance which can not be excluded from high-grade intraepithelial lesions (ASC-H); low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL); high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL); squamous carcinoma; atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGC-NOS); atypical glandular cells favor neoplasic (AGC-H); and atypical cells with undertemined origin (ACs) (Table 1).

Table 1
Abnormal cytologies included

Of the 34 cases, 9 (26.47%) had a histopathological report of CIN 3, 5 (14.7%) of CIN 2, 1 (2.9%) of squamous carcinoma, and 5 (17.64%) of CIN 1. The other 13 cases (38.23%) had minor alterations with normal results or nonspecific atypias. A total of 15 outcomes were identified with CIN 2+ (44.1%), and there were 19 minor alterations (55.88%) (Table 2).

Table 2
Histopathological classification by lesion grade

2011 IFCPC Nomenclature Results

Based on the findings of the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature, we had 21 cases (61.76%) categorized as having high-grade suspicion. The remaining 13 (38.23%) were categorized as low-grade suspicion (Table 3).

Table 3
Colposcopy results according to the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature

When evaluating the diagnostic performance of the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature, we obtained an accuracy of 67.64%, a PPV of 57.14% (12/21), and a NPV of 84.61% (11/13). We calculated the sensitivity and specificity at 85.71 and 55%, respectively (Table 4).

Table 4
Association of histopathological results with the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature

Swede Score Results

Using the Swede score, we identified 22 cases (64.7%) with a high-grade suspicion and 12 (35.29%) with a low-grade suspicion (Table 5).

Table 5
Colposcopy results according to the Swede score

When evaluating the diagnostic performance of the Swede score, we obtained an accuracy of 79.41%. We identified a VPP of 68.18% (15/22) and a NPV of 100% (12/12). Sensitivity and specificity were 100 and 63.15%, respectively. When we used the cutoff ≥ 7 for CIN 2 + , we obtained 94.73% specificity, and with the cutoff ≥ 8, this percentage rose to 100%, with the sensitivity for both scores being 60%. The PPV and NPV for cutoffs of 7 and 8 were 90 and 75% and 100 and 76%, respectively (Table 6).

Table 6
Association of histopathological results with the Swede score

Correlation Between the Colposcopic Indices

When we evaluated the correlation between the two colposcopic classifications, we found 18 results that were concordant for high-grade suspicion and 9 that were concordant for low-grade suspicion, totaling 27 cases and a correlation value of 79.41%. The calculated Kappa coefficient was 0.55 (Table 7).

Table 7
Correlation between the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature and the Swede score

The positive results of the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature and Swede score colposcopic classifications were used for the McNemar test. The p-value found was 0.37 (Table 8).

Table 8
Matching of concordant results according to the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature and to the Swede score

Discussion

Colposcopy is a subjective exam that is difficult to reproduce because it depends on the skill of the specialist who performs it. To reduce variations in the observations of specialists that could result in making the test less effective, nomenclatures and scores were created that serve to broadly guide the colposcopic reports. Among them are two used by the IFCPC, which is the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature, and the Swede score.

In our study, we determined a correlation value of 79.41% between the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature and the Swede score, and we obtained a Kappa value of 0.55%, which we interpreted as moderate association.1010 International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy. Swede Score [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Nov 13]. Available from: http://www.ifcpcdev.net/newWP/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Swede-Score-En.docx
http://www.ifcpcdev.net/newWP/wp-content...
This means that the results were not mostly random, and we can trust the reproducibility of the rankings among experts. With the McNemar test, we found a p-value equal of 0.37; that is, we can conclude that there is no significant difference between the proportions of positive results between the groups and that the samples are comparable and similar.

In the literature, we found few studies that assess the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature. One of them was performed at the Fundan University Hospital in Shanghai by Li et al.,1212 Li Y, Duan X, Sui L, Xu F, Xu S, Zhang H, et al. Closer to a uniform language in colposcopy: study on the potential application of 2011 International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy terminology in clinical practice. BioMed Res Int. 2017;2017:8984516. Doi: 10.1155/2017/8984516
https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8984516...
who reviewed 525 colposcopies to evaluate them according to the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature and its histopathological examination for high-grade lesions.1212 Li Y, Duan X, Sui L, Xu F, Xu S, Zhang H, et al. Closer to a uniform language in colposcopy: study on the potential application of 2011 International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy terminology in clinical practice. BioMed Res Int. 2017;2017:8984516. Doi: 10.1155/2017/8984516
https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8984516...

13 Cooper DB, Goyal M. Colposcopy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing; 2020 [cited 2020 Nov 13]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564514/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56...
-1414 Landis JR, Koch GG. The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics. 1977;33(01):159–174 The results obtained were: 64.95% accuracy, 63.64% sensitivity, and 96.01% specificity. Another important study was carried out by Fan et al.,1515 Fan A, Wang C, Zhang L, Yan Y, Han C, Xue F. Diagnostic value of the 2011 International federation for cervical pathology and colposcopy terminology in predicting cervical lesions. Oncotarget. 2018;9(10):9166–9176. Doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.24074
https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.2407...
which included 2,262 patients whose colposcopic evaluations were reviewed according to the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity values found were 65.5, 71.6, and 98%, respectively. Analyzing the applicability of the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature alone in predicting high-grade lesions, our study found accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity values of 67.64, 85.71, and 55%. Comparing these figures with the results of Li et al.1212 Li Y, Duan X, Sui L, Xu F, Xu S, Zhang H, et al. Closer to a uniform language in colposcopy: study on the potential application of 2011 International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy terminology in clinical practice. BioMed Res Int. 2017;2017:8984516. Doi: 10.1155/2017/8984516
https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8984516...
and Fan et al.,1515 Fan A, Wang C, Zhang L, Yan Y, Han C, Xue F. Diagnostic value of the 2011 International federation for cervical pathology and colposcopy terminology in predicting cervical lesions. Oncotarget. 2018;9(10):9166–9176. Doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.24074
https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.2407...
our study found very similar totals for accuracy and sensitivity, with more varied results regarding specificity.

For the Swede score, we used the article by Strander et al.,99 Strander B, Ellström-Andersson A, Franzén S, Milsom I, Rådberg T. The performance of a new scoring system for colposcopy in detecting high-grade dysplasia in the uterine cervix. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2005;84(10):1013–1017. Doi: 10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005.00895.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005...
in which 297 patients were evaluated at the Care Hospital in Eastern Sweden. This study obtained 100% sensitivity with a cutoff of 5, and 90% specificity with a cutoff of 8 to identify CIN 2+ lesions. Another study was carried out by Kushwah et al.,1616 Kushwah S, Kushwah B. Correlation of two colposcopic indices for predicting premalignant lesions of cervix. J Midlife Health. 2017;8(03):118–123. Doi: 10.4103/jmh.JMH_22_17
https://doi.org/10.4103/jmh.JMH_22_17...
in which the Swede score was correlated with that of Reid. This was carried out at the Ghandi Memorial Hospital and recruited 80 patients who were included in the study, in which the performance of the new score was individually evaluated, finding a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 91.3% for a score of 5 for high-grade lesions. When using a score of 8, the specificity increased to 100% and the sensitivity dropped to 36.8%. Bowring et al.1111 Bowring J, Strander B, Young M, Evans H, Walker P. The Swede score: evaluation of a scoring system designed to improve the predictive value of colposcopy. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2010;14(04):301–305. Doi: 10.1097/LGT.0b013e3181d77756
https://doi.org/10.1097/LGT.0b013e3181d7...
also evaluated the efficacy of the Swede score in 200 patients who underwent colposcopies at the Royal Hospital in London, Great Britain. In this study, a sensitivity of 38% and a specificity of 95% for high-grade lesions were obtained with a score of 8.

When evaluating the use of the Swede score alone to predict high-grade lesions by using a score ≥ 5, our study showed an accuracy of 79.41%. In addition, it demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 63.15%. When a score of 7 was used, the specificity increased to 94.73%, and with a score of 8, it increased to 100%, while the sensitivity remained the same, at 60%. Comparing our results with the study by Strander et al.,99 Strander B, Ellström-Andersson A, Franzén S, Milsom I, Rådberg T. The performance of a new scoring system for colposcopy in detecting high-grade dysplasia in the uterine cervix. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2005;84(10):1013–1017. Doi: 10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005.00895.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005...
we found an association with their results, showing the same 100% sensitivity for the cutoff with a score of 5 and a greater specificity with a score of 8 for invasive disease. The same value of 100% specificity was found in the study by Kushwah et al.1616 Kushwah S, Kushwah B. Correlation of two colposcopic indices for predicting premalignant lesions of cervix. J Midlife Health. 2017;8(03):118–123. Doi: 10.4103/jmh.JMH_22_17
https://doi.org/10.4103/jmh.JMH_22_17...
Therefore, there is an agreement between the results found in our study and those of other authors.

Thus, due to the results found in our study, we can suggest that the Swede score appears to be more effective in identifying patients with CIN 2 + , as it presents results demonstrating greater accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Since it demonstrated 100% sensitivity, that is, it identified all patients with a NPV value of 100%, safely excluding tests for low suspicion that could be wrongly excluded from the investigation. Furthermore, it is evident that the reliability of the test increases with a score of 8, since all included cases have a CIN 2+ lesion, which indicates that there was no overtreatment. This increases confidence in utilizing the “see and treat” method, which consists of carrying out the excisional treatment immediately during the diagnostic examination.1717 Ebisch RM, Rovers MM, Bosgraaf RP, van der Pluijm-Schouten HW, Melchers WJG, et al. Evidence supporting see-and-treat management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BJOG. 2016;123(01):59–66. Doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.13530
https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.13530...
This measure makes it possible to do away with biopsies and for the patient to have therapeutic treatment performed in a single visit to the clinic. In turn, it would benefit the health system by presenting lower costs,1818 Bedell SL, Goldstein LS, Goldstein AR, Goldstein AT. Cervical cancer screening: past, present and future. Sex Med Rev. 2020;8(01):28–37. Doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.09.005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.09.0...
and it would benefit the patient by allowing for a reduction in the period of absence from work and in the anxiety about waiting for the procedure. It would also prevent the delay of treatment, thus avoiding loss of follow-up.

Thus, despite the small sample size, the present study is unprecedented due to being the only one to compare these two colposcopic classifications with each other. We still have as limitations the inclusion of low-grade cytology as an indication for colposcopy, which may have reduced the prevalence of the disease, leading to a selection bias; the inclusion of the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature of the nonspecific classification as a high degree that may have led to overestimating the diagnosis; and the fact that the accuracy of colposcopy may be related to the amount of experience of the colposcopist, which was not taken into account. These are initial data for a larger and more comprehensive study that revealed that the Swede score appears to be superior in identifying high-grade cervical lesions. It is important that studies be carried out to assess the reproducibility of the concepts advocated by the IFCPC in order to improve care for women and to allow for the early diagnosis of precursor lesions of cervical cancer.

Conclusion

The nonrandom agreement between the colposcopic Swede score and the IFCPC 2011 Nomenclature demonstrated moderate correlation in our study; that is, most of it did not occur by chance. This indicates that there is reproducibility of the two tests among experts. This assessment is important, as it is a subjective examination and depends on the expertise of the person performing it. Using the McNemar test, we concluded that there are no significant differences between the samples and that they can be compared. Assessing each classification individually, we obtained better results in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity with the Swede score. The greater the sensitivity and the NPV, the lower the possibility of misdiagnosis, making it more interesting as a screening test. Thus, we can suggest in the present study, with the limitations already described, the hypothesis that the Swede score is more effective than the 2011 IFCPC Nomenclature in identifying precursor lesions of cervical cancer. According to the Swede score, the cutoff of 8 for CIN 2+ disease proved to be slightly higher than the score of 7 that is used by the IFCPC, which configures the absence of overtreatment.

References

  • 1
    Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Lauversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(03):209–249. Doi: 10.3322/caac.21660
    » https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660
  • 2
    Bruni L, Diaz M, Castellsagué X, Ferrer E, Bosch FX, de Sanjosé S Cervical human papillomavirus prevalence in 5 continents: meta-analysis of 1 million women with normal cytological findings. J Infect Dis. 2010;202(12):1789–1799. Doi: 10.1086/657321
    » https://doi.org/10.1086/657321
  • 3
    Saslow D, Solomon D, Lawson HW, Killackey M, Kulasigam SL, Cain JM, et al. American Cancer Society, American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and American Society for Clinical Pathology screening guidelines for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2012;16(03):175–204. Doi: 10.1097/LGT.0b013e31824ca9d5
    » https://doi.org/10.1097/LGT.0b013e31824ca9d5
  • 4
    Ministério da Saúde Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva Coordenação de Prevenção e Vigilância Divisão de Detecção Precoce e Apoio à Organização de Rede. Diretrizes brasileiras para o rastreamento do câncer do colo do útero. 2a ed. Rio de Janeiro: INCA; 2016
  • 5
    Schiffman M, Wentzensen N, Wacholder S, Kinney W, Gage JC, Castle PE. Human papillomavirus testing in the prevention of cervical cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2011;103(05):368–383. Doi: 10.1093/jnci/djq562
    » https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djq562
  • 6
    Ferris DG, Litaker MALTS Group. Interobserver agreement for colposcopy quality control using digitized colposcopic images during the ALTS trial. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2005;9(01):29–35. Doi: 10.1097/00128360-200501000-00007
    » https://doi.org/10.1097/00128360-200501000-00007
  • 7
    Bornstein J, Bentley J, Bösze P, Girardi F, Haefner H, Menton M, et al. 2011 colposcopic terminology of the International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy. Obstet Gynecol. 2012;120(01):166–172. Doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e318254f90c
    » https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e318254f90c
  • 8
    Quaas J, Reich O, Frey Tirri B, Küppers V. Explanation and Use of the Colposcopy Terminology of the IFCPC (International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy) Rio 2011. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2013;73(09):904–907. Doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1350824
    » https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1350824
  • 9
    Strander B, Ellström-Andersson A, Franzén S, Milsom I, Rådberg T. The performance of a new scoring system for colposcopy in detecting high-grade dysplasia in the uterine cervix. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2005;84(10):1013–1017. Doi: 10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005.00895.x
    » https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005.00895.x
  • 10
    International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy. Swede Score [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Nov 13]. Available from: http://www.ifcpcdev.net/newWP/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Swede-Score-En.docx
    » http://www.ifcpcdev.net/newWP/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Swede-Score-En.docx
  • 11
    Bowring J, Strander B, Young M, Evans H, Walker P. The Swede score: evaluation of a scoring system designed to improve the predictive value of colposcopy. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2010;14(04):301–305. Doi: 10.1097/LGT.0b013e3181d77756
    » https://doi.org/10.1097/LGT.0b013e3181d77756
  • 12
    Li Y, Duan X, Sui L, Xu F, Xu S, Zhang H, et al. Closer to a uniform language in colposcopy: study on the potential application of 2011 International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy terminology in clinical practice. BioMed Res Int. 2017;2017:8984516. Doi: 10.1155/2017/8984516
    » https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8984516
  • 13
    Cooper DB, Goyal M. Colposcopy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing; 2020 [cited 2020 Nov 13]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564514/
    » https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564514/
  • 14
    Landis JR, Koch GG. The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics. 1977;33(01):159–174
  • 15
    Fan A, Wang C, Zhang L, Yan Y, Han C, Xue F. Diagnostic value of the 2011 International federation for cervical pathology and colposcopy terminology in predicting cervical lesions. Oncotarget. 2018;9(10):9166–9176. Doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.24074
    » https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.24074
  • 16
    Kushwah S, Kushwah B. Correlation of two colposcopic indices for predicting premalignant lesions of cervix. J Midlife Health. 2017;8(03):118–123. Doi: 10.4103/jmh.JMH_22_17
    » https://doi.org/10.4103/jmh.JMH_22_17
  • 17
    Ebisch RM, Rovers MM, Bosgraaf RP, van der Pluijm-Schouten HW, Melchers WJG, et al. Evidence supporting see-and-treat management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BJOG. 2016;123(01):59–66. Doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.13530
    » https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.13530
  • 18
    Bedell SL, Goldstein LS, Goldstein AR, Goldstein AT. Cervical cancer screening: past, present and future. Sex Med Rev. 2020;8(01):28–37. Doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.09.005
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.09.005

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    23 Jan 2023
  • Date of issue
    2022

History

  • Received
    06 Feb 2022
  • Accepted
    02 May 2022
Federação Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia Av. Brigadeiro Luís Antônio, 3421, sala 903 - Jardim Paulista, 01401-001 São Paulo SP - Brasil, Tel. (55 11) 5573-4919 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
E-mail: editorial.office@febrasgo.org.br