The significance of atypical cervical cytology in an older population.

To ascertain the significance of squamous atypia encountered during routine Papanicolaou smear screening in an older population, we reviewed 115 consecutive patients over age 50 seen during a 3-year period. Evaluation included repeating the smear and performing colposcopy in all patients. Colposcopically directed biopsy and endocervical curettage were performed when appropriate. Sixty-seven patients (58.3%) had atrophy, 43 (37.4%) were normal, two (1.7%) had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1, two (1.7%) had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2, and one (0.9%) had human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. There was a strong association between squamous atypia and estrogen deficiency. With the correction of the estrogen deficiency, the squamous atypia reverted to normal in a statistically significant percentage of patients. A Papanicolaou smear report of squamous atypia in women over age 50 should not be considered normal; further evaluation is required. The incidence of cervical or vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia and HPV infection is much lower than reported in studies involving younger patients.