Is the diagnosis of atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance associated with greater risk at an inner city hospital?

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the high-risk patients at an inner city hospital with atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGC) on their Pap smears have a higher rate of underlying significant pathology than that reported in published data.

Study Design: This was an Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective review of all AGC Pap smears performed at University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey, between January 1, 2001, and July 30, 2008. We defined significant pathology as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 (CIN 2) or greater, endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ or greater, or simple hyperplasia or greater of the endometrium.

Results: Medical records of 126 patients were reviewed. Forty did not meet inclusion criteria; 86 patients were included in the analysis. Thirty of the 86 (34.9%) patients were found to have significant pathology.

Conclusion: Patients with AGC Pap results at our inner city hospital have a high risk for underlying significant pathology.