“HPV vaccine cuts abnormal pap smears in 4 years”
Skin & Allergy news 39.4(Apr 2008) P43

Abnormal Pap tests and cervical procedures have already declined markedly among young women who were vaccinated against the human papillomavirus in three pivotal clinical trials, according to data presented in Tampa at the annual meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists.****rewrite in your own words.

Comparison of 4,696 vaccinated women with 4,759 women in placebo groups showed reductions of 19% in colposcopy, 22% in cervical biopsy, and 42% in excisional therapy at an average follow-up of 3.3 years after the first dose of the quadrivalent vaccine (Gardisil/Silgard) against human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, and 18. (Macneil, 2008)

The end-of-study data reported came from three large efficacy trials sponsored by Merck & Co., maker of the vaccine. All told, the studies randomized 18,150 women aged 16-26 years to the vaccine or a placebo. Participants had cervicovaginal sampling and Pap smears on their first day in the studies and were followed with Pap smears every 6-12 months for up to 48 months. Median follow-up was 4 years from day 1.****what the study is

The most dramatic reduction was 43% in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) seen on Pap smears. Although the drop was substantial, the numbers were small with only 41 cases in the placebo group and 24 among vaccinated women. Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) declined by 14%, occurring in 864 vaccinated women vs. 1,000 women on placebo. Other reductions in abnormal Pap tests included:

* A drop of 16% in atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance that were high-risk positive (meaning positive for one of the 13 cancer-causing HPV types for which the sample was tested), LSIL, or worse (1,062 women in the vaccine group vs. 1,226 on placebo).

* A decrease