This study was undertaken to determine the clinical significance of detecting candida on Pap smear. Clinical information was obtained from a questionnaire sent to the health care provider whenever candida was identified during the study period. Candida was identified in 309 (3.0%) of the 10,370 Pap smears examined. Completed questionnaires were returned on 137 (44.3%) patients. All 137 smears were reviewed. Ninety-nine (72%) patients were asymptomatic, 29 (21%) had symptoms typical of candida infection, and nine (7%) had nonspecific symptoms. Forty-four (32%) patients had been treated for candida during the original clinic visit. After the Pap smear reported candida, 19 (20%) of the 93 nontreated patients were contacted and treated, while 10 (11%) were scheduled for further evaluation. No action was taken on the remaining 64 (69%) patients. There was a significant association between having initial symptoms and receiving immediate treatment (P < 0.001) and undergoing subsequent treatment or further evaluation after the Pap smear report (P < 0.001). Marked inflammation was statistically associated with symptoms (P = 0.014), but the form or number of candida organisms was not. In conclusion, the identification of Candida on Pap smear does not necessarily indicate a symptomatic infection, although the Pap smear results had a direct impact on the treatment of 21% of patients in this study and served as a confirmation for clinical treatment in another 32% who had received such treatment at the time of the original visit.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:etsu-works-15132 |
| Date | 01 July 1999 |
| Creators | Shurbaji, M. Salah, Burja, Izabela T., Sawyer, William L. |
| Publisher | Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University |
| Source Sets | East Tennessee State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | ETSU Faculty Works |
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