Psychosocial impact of alternative management policies for low-grade cervical abnormalities: results from the TOMBOLA randomised controlled trial

Linda Sharp (Lead / Corresponding author), Seonaidh Cotton, Julian Little, Nicola M. Gray, Margaret Cruickshank, Louise Smart, Alison Thornton, Norman Waugh, Leslie Walker, The TOMBOLA group

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    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Large numbers of women who participate in cervical screening require follow-up for minor cytological abnormalities. Little is known about the psychological consequences of alternative management policies for these women. We compared, over 30-months, psychosocial outcomes of two policies: cytological surveillance (repeat cervical cytology tests in primary care) and a hospital-based colposcopy examination.

    METHODS: Women attending for a routine cytology test within the UK NHS Cervical Screening Programmes were eligible to participate. 3399 women, aged 20-59 years, with low-grade abnormal cytology, were randomised to cytological surveillance (six-monthly tests; n = 1703) or initial colposcopy with biopsies and/or subsequent treatment based on colposcopic and histological findings (n = 1696). At 12, 18, 24 and 30-months post-recruitment, women completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A subgroup (n = 2354) completed the Impact of Event Scale (IES) six weeks after the colposcopy episode or first surveillance cytology test. Primary outcomes were percentages over the entire follow-up period of significant depression (≥ 8) and significant anxiety (≥ 11; "30-month percentages"). Secondary outcomes were point prevalences of significant depression, significant anxiety and procedure-related distress (≥ 9). Outcomes were compared between arms by calculating fully-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for initial colposcopy versus cytological surveillance.

    RESULTS: There was no significant difference in 30-month percentages of significant depression (OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.80-1.21) or anxiety (OR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.81-1.16) between arms. At the six-week assessment, anxiety and distress, but not depression, were significantly less common in the initial colposcopy arm (anxiety: 7.9% vs 13.4%; OR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.38-0.81; distress: 30.6% vs 39.3%, OR = 0.67 95% CI 0.54-0.84). Neither anxiety nor depression differed between arms at subsequent time-points.

    CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the longer-term psychosocial impact of management policies based on cytological surveillance or initial colposcopy. Policy-makers, clinicians, and women themselves can be reassured that neither management policy has a significantly greater psychosocial cost.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN 34841617.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article numbere80092
    Number of pages13
    JournalPLoS ONE
    Volume8
    Issue number12
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 30 Dec 2013

    Keywords

    • Adult
    • Anxiety
    • Cervix uteri
    • Colposcopy
    • Depression
    • Female
    • Humans
    • Middle aged
    • Randomized controlled trials as topic
    • Uterine cervical diseases
    • Vaginal smears

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