Correspondence

摘要

Further studies in this area would be informative. This study identified the woman as the unit of interest. As such, while the index cytology specimens were collected by general practitioners and nurses, the subsequent cytology specimens for the women were able to be collected by any type of practitioner, including specialists. Similarly while the index cytology specimens were reported by laboratories that did not meet minimum detection standard of 0.5% definite high-grade abnormalities in 2000, the subsequent cytology may have been reported by a laboratory that did or did not meet the minimum detection standard (mostly the former). While follow-up information for high-grade abnormalities was histologically confirmed, colposcopy was accepted for low-grade abnormalities and negative outcomes. It would be of interest to know whether results similar to those reported in this study are found in countries with a different recommended screening interval from the 2 year policy in Australia and where the minimum expected abnormality rates are higher than in Australia.