Quantification and grading of atrophy of the cervical epithelial cells

Objective In order to prevent postmenopausal women from vaginal atrophy,atrophic vaginitis and osteoporosis,quantification and classification of maturation of the vaginal epithelium in postmenopausal women was carried out.Methods 1340 cases of postmenopausal women with cervical cell specimens were screened.By using liquid-based thin-film cell detection technology(TCT),Pap staining,and application of the maturation value(MV) as well as maturation index(MI).Reference value range was derived from varying degrees of vaginal epithelial atrophy.Results 968 cases with epithelial atrophy were identified,of which 68 patients with mild atrophy,338 cases with moderate atrophy,and 562 cases with severe atrophy.Maturity value(MV) of less than 50 was established for the diagnosis of atrophic changes.Mild atrophy: 40≤MV ≤49,moderate atrophy:15≤MV≤39,and severe atrophy: MV≤14.There was no significant difference of inflammation among the varying degrees of vaginal epithelial atrophy(P = 0.900).Conclusions According to MV,the degrees of epithelial atrophy in postmenopausal women were divided into mild,moderate and severe atrophy,which provide a reference value in evaluation of the degrees of atrophy in clinical management.