Correlation of colposcopic findings and histopathologic examinations in perimenopausal women

• Nishitha Gandavaram,*  
• Rajalekshmi M

Abstract

Background: Perimenopausal women experience various physiological changes that may affect cervical health. Colposcopy is a diagnostic tool used to examine an illuminated, magnified view of the cervix and the tissues of the vagina and vulva. Histopathological examination (HPE) is a gold standard for diagnosing cervical lesions. Objectives: To determine the correlation between colposcopic findings and histopathological examination results in perimenopausal women and to evaluate the prevalence of cervical abnormalities in this population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 perimenopausal women who were referred for colposcopy at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai. Colposcopic findings were recorded, and all patients underwent a biopsy for HPE. Data were analyzed using percentage and chi square test to find the correlation between colposcopy findings and HPE results. Results: Out of 200 perimenopausal women, colposcopy identified 120 cases with abnormal findings. HPE confirmed 30 cases with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 5 cases with invasive carcinoma. The correlation coefficient between colposcopic findings and HPE was calculated to be 0.65, indicating a strong correlation. The prevalence of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) was noted to be 15%. Conclusions: The study suggests a strong correlation between colposcopic findings and histopathological results in perimenopausal women. The high prevalence of HSIL at 15% indicates the necessity for regular screening in this population. Further research with a larger sample size and multicentric design is recommended to validate these findings.

Keywords

Colposcopy, Histopathological Examination, Perimenopausal Women, Cervical Abnormalities, Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, Invasive Carcinoma.