The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal has been increasing in high-risk populations. To the authors' knowledge, there is no international consensus regarding screening for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal, but screening is commonly comprised of a Papanicolaou (Pap) test in combination with digital anorectal examination followed by high-resolution anoscopy if necessary. The current study focused on individuals living with HIV and particularly on women living with HIV.
In this 5-year retrospective study, the authors identified 5982 Pap tests, 1848 of which had follow-up biopsy within 6 months. The rate of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance was 42%, and approximately 38.1% of cases with this interpretation were diagnosed as high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions on follow-up biopsy. In addition, 82 women with anal cytology had long-term follow-up (>10 years) available.
The authors investigated a relationship between cervicovaginal human papillomavirus (HPV) results, cervical pathology, CD4 T-cell count, and CD4/8 ratio with the anal cytology interpretation. A statistical correlation was noted between the CD4 count and the CD4/8 ratio and the presence of anal dysplasia. Nearly one-half of the women without cervicovaginal HPV positivity presented with anal dysplasia.
The results of the current study demonstrated that, among women living with HIV, screening for anal dysplasia should not be eschewed, regardless of lower genital tract pathology and/or HPV status. To the authors' knowledge, the current study is the largest reported retrospective anal cytology cohort in individuals living with HIV.