Comparison of Patient- and Clinician-Collected Anal Cytology Samples to Screen for Human Papillomavirus–Associated Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Men Who Have Sex with Men

摘要

Self-collected samples may increase adherence to anal cancer screening guidelines. This study compared the sensitivity and specificity of patient-collected and physician-collected cytology samples, using high-resolution anoscopy as the reference standard, in 126 men who have sex with men. Patient-collected specimens were feasible but unsatisfactory because many patients with anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) had a negative cytology result after self-collection. Even with a physician-collected sample, anal cytology misses too many cases of AIN. Anoscopy is a better screening test, especially for high-risk patients.