[Cervical intraepithelial lesions in adolescents: cytological findings from 1999 to 2005 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil].

The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasias has increased in adolescents, probably due to the decrease in age at first intercourse and increase in the number of sexual partners. Our objective was to analyze the trends in cervical intraepithelial lesions in adolescents in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We thus conducted a retrospective analysis of 1,516,407 Pap smears performed at public health units from 1999 to 2005. During the study period, the distribution and temporal trend in cytological abnormalities was compared between adolescent and adult women. There were more atypical smears in adolescents, mainly low-grade lesions. In adolescents, cervical abnormalities doubled during this period, from 6.4% to 12.4%, while in adult women it increased from 4.5% to 6.7%. Statistical analysis showed a tendency towards a linear increase in frequency of abnormal Pap smears in both adolescents and adults (0.008% and 0.003%, respectively). Based on this and other studies, we recommend including adolescents in the target population of the Brazilian cervical cancer screening program ("Programa Viva Mulher").