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