2.2 | Follow-up and final outcome
Eligible consenting patients were observed at 6-month intervals for up to 2 years with various procedures, including gynaecological examination, AHPV testing, and liquid-based cytology (LBC). During surveillance, patients with abnormal cytology or AHPV positivity were referred for colposcopy and then biopsy if indicated. The endpoints included histology-confirmed CIN2+ during the follow-up and were defined as follows: 1) progression: histology-confirmed CIN2+; 2) regression: both cytology and AHPV negative, abnormal cytology or AHPV positive but histology negative; and 3) persistence: histology-confirmed LSIL (CIN1). Women reaching an endpoint would then be managed according to the 2012 ASCCP guidelines.9