BMJ  2006;332:79-85 (14 January), doi:10.1136/bmj.38698.458866.7C (published 6 January 2006)

Research

Lifetime effects, costs, and cost effectiveness of testing for human papillomavirus to manage low grade cytological abnormalities: results of the NHS pilot studies

¹ Health Economics Research Centre, Department of Public Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, ² Cancer Screening Evaluation Unit, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG

Abstract

Objectives To predict the incremental lifetime effects, costs, and cost effectiveness of using human papillomavirus testing to triage women with borderline or mildly dyskaryotic cervical smear results for immediate colposcopy.

Design Modelling study.

Setting Three centres participating in NHS pilot studies, United Kingdom.

Population Women aged 25-64 with borderline or mildly dyskaryotic cervical smear results.

Interventions Screening using conventional cytology, liquid based cytology, and four strategies with different age cut-off points and follow up times that used combined liquid based cytology and human papillomavirus testing (adjunctive human papillomavirus testing).

Results The model predicts that compared with using conventional cytology without testing for human papillomavirus, testing for the virus in conjunction with liquid based cytology for women with borderline or mildly dyskaryotic cervical smear results (aged 35 or more) would cost £3735 (euros5528; $6474) per life year saved. Extending adjunctive human papillomavirus testing in combination with liquid based cytology to include women aged between 25 and 34 costs an additional £4233 per life year saved. Human papillomavirus testing is likely to reduce lifetime repeat smears by 52%-86% but increase lifetime colposcopies by 64%-138%.

Conclusions Testing for human papillomavirus to manage all women with borderline or mildly dyskaryotic cervical smear results is likely to be cost effective. The predicted increase in lifetime colposcopies, however, deserves careful consideration.

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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Take this opportunity to screen for anal cancer too.

Awori J Hayanga
bmj.com, 15 Jan 2006 [Full text]

Does this Study model the current Cytology Screening Programme?

Bernard J Charnley
bmj.com, 23 Jan 2006 [Full text]

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