Avaliação da adequabilidade da amostra e da representatividade dos elementos da zona de transformação nos exames colpocitológicos realizados em um município do leste de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer is one of the most frequent in female population. Objective: To carry out a survey of colpocitological exams performed in the city of Governador Valadares – (GV), in order to evaluate the frequency of samples satisfactory and unsatisfactory for oncotic evaluation, the percentage of smears that were representative of the elements of the squamo-columnar junction and compare with national and Minas Gerais – (MG) data. Methods: A observational, retrospective study was carried out, based on data obtained from the Cancer Information System (SISCAN). The number of performed colpocitological exams was verified, the frequency of satisfactory samples and unsatisfactory for oncotic evaluation, the percentage of smears that presented representativeness of the elements of transformation zone, the quantitative of rejected samples, in addition to the time spent carrying out the tests in each sphere, from January/2016 to December/2021. Results: The rate of unsatisfactory samples for oncotic evaluation was 1.2%, 1.0% and 0.7% [Brazil (BR), MG and GV, respectively], with the presence of desiccation artifacts being the main reason, mainly in the age group of 50 to 54 years, in all spheres. This rate was significantly higher in GV than those observed in MG and BR. After 45 years in GV and 55 years in BR and MG, most samples did not show elements of the transformation zone in the smear. 0.36%, 0.23% and 0.013% of the samples were rejected in BR, MG and GV, respectively, highlighting those with absence or error in the identification of the slide. The release of the results occurred significantly faster on GV. Conclusion: Such findings justify the need for training of professionals involved with the collection, in order to enable to obtaining samples better quality and more reliable results.