[Incidence, causes and follow-up of doubtful smear findings (Papanicolaou group III)].

Suspect smears of 622 patients from 1977-1986 were analysed for their causes and followed up until the definite cytologic or histologic result. In relation to the overall material of 97,963 cases the rate of suspect smears (group Pap. III) was between 1.18 and 0.27%, i.e. an average of 0.68%. The most frequent reasons for the classification "suspect" were inflammatory (42.4%), metaplastic or degenerative changes (16.1%) and doubtful pre-cancer (30.6%). 58% of all cases became negative under cytological control and antimicrobial therapy or hormonal substitution; of these 91.4% converted into negative within 6 months. The histological examination carried out on 230 patients revealed pre-cancer (CIN I-III) in 201 cases; cancer was proved in 5 cases. Compared to the whole population that is a rate of 33.1%. 24 cases were to be found negative. 139 Multiparae (67.6%) were to be found in the group of the 206 histological positive cases. 151 women (74%) had taken hormonal contraceptives. The rate of suspect smears should not exceed one per cent.