OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the incidence of pre-malignant and malignant cervical conditions during a period of 10 years of use of inert (Szontagh) and copper-bearing IUCDs. METHODS: Candidates were parous women requesting intrauterine contraception regardless of the previous IUCD use and having no contraindications. Follow-ups were scheduled at 1, 6, and 12 months after insertion, and annually thereafter. Colposcopy and cytological evaluation were performed at insertion and at yearly follow-ups. For comparison of the two groups and the different follow-up periods (at the end of each ordinal year), net and gross cumulative lifetable rates were calculated. Statistical differences were measured by chi-squared test, and were regarded as significant at P <or= 0.05. RESULTS: The total number of insertions was 3536 and 13,518 for inert and copper devices, respectively, and the maximum cumulative woman months of use (CWMU) at 10 years for the two groups were 163,567 and 492,836, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the life table rates of terminations for suspected cervical pre-malignant and malignant conditions between the groups at the end of each ordinal year. CONCLUSION: The copper-bearing intrauterine contraceptive devices are not associated with a significantly higher risk of cervical cancer compared to the inert IUCDs.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the incidence of pre-malignant and malignant cervical conditions during a period of 10 years of use of inert (Szontagh) and copper-bearing IUCDs. METHODS: Candidates were parous women requesting intrauterine contraception regardless of the previous IUCD use and having no contraindications. Follow-ups were scheduled at 1, 6, and 12 months after insertion, and annually thereafter. Colposcopy and cytological evaluation were performed at insertion and at yearly follow-ups. For comparison of the two groups and the different follow-up periods (at the end of each ordinal year), net and gross cumulative lifetable rates were calculated. Statistical differences were measured by chi-squared test, and were regarded as significant at P <or= 0.05. RESULTS: The total number of insertions was 3536 and 13,518 for inert and copper devices, respectively, and the maximum cumulative woman months of use (CWMU) at 10 years for the two groups were 163,567 and 492,836, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the life table rates of terminations for suspected cervical pre-malignant and malignant conditions between the groups at the end of each ordinal year. CONCLUSION: The copper-bearing intrauterine contraceptive devices are not associated with a significantly higher risk of cervical cancer compared to the inert IUCDs.