Accuracy of conventional cytology: results from a multicentre screening study in India.

94.9%, 15.2% and 99.3%, while at the HSIL threshold they were 45.4%, 99.2%, 46.3% and 99.1%. The sensitivity varied between 37.8- 81.3% at ASCUS , 28.9- 76.9% at LSIL and 24.4- 72.3% at HSIL thresholds. A signie cantly low sensitivity was observed in women aged 25- 39 years (p<0.001). The wide variation in sensitivity across study sites persisted even after age standardisation. Conclusion: The sensitivity of cytology varied widely between the study sites. Findings from our study and other reviews indicate that sustained efforts in improving sampling, preparation and reading of cytological specimens and improvements in clinical judgement are essential to achieve concurrently high sensitivity and specie city. See end of article for authors' afe liations