Colposcopic Evaluation of an Unhealthy Cervix and Its Correlation with Biopsy in the Sub-Divisional Hospital Gangavathi

Background: Cervical cancer is largely preventable through early detection and management of premalignant lesions. The objective is to evaluate colposcopic findings in women with an unhealthy cervix and determine their correlation with cervical biopsy findings at Sub-Divisional Hospital, Gangavathi. Material and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted among 217 women aged 20–60 years presenting with abnormal symptoms or clinically unhealthy cervix. Eligible participants underwent clinical examination, Pap smear, colposcopic evaluation, and colposcopy-directed cervical biopsy where indicated. Diagnostic accuracy of Pap smear and colposcopy was calculated using cervical biopsy as the reference standard. Results: Pap smear showed sensitivity of 18.39%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100%, NPV of 2.81%, and accuracy of 20.28% compared with cervical biopsy. Colposcopy showed higher sensitivity of 56.60%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100%, NPV of 5.16%, and accuracy of 57.60%. For detection of premalignant/malignant lesions, colposcopy demonstrated sensitivity of 69.23%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100%, NPV of 98.08%, and accuracy of 98.16%. Conclusion: Colposcopy showed better diagnostic performance than Pap smear and correlated significantly with cervical biopsy findings. Colposcopy-directed biopsy is essential for accurate diagnosis of premalignant and malignant cervical lesions in women with an unhealthy cervix.

Keywords: Unhealthy cervix, colposcopy, cervical biopsy, Pap smear, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, cervical cancer.