ERYTHROCYTE FOLATE LEVELS, ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND ABNORMAL CERVICAL CYTOLOGY

The initial hypothesis of this study tons that folate depletion is a r isk factor for human papillomavirus infection and cervical epithelial cell abnormalities, including dysplasia. The prevalences of low, eryth rocyte folate levels (defined as < 140 ng/mL enrythrocytes and determi ned by the growth of Lactobacillus) were measured in 250 University of California at Los Angeles students. Among oral contraceptive users, l ow erythrocyte folate was a risk factor for an abnormal cytologic smea r in both benign atypia and squamous intraepithelial lesions. Odds rat ios were statistically significant for biopsied women who did not have condyloma and for those who did not have squamous intraepithelial les ions but not for those with histologically confirmed intraepithelial l esions. Low erythrocyte folate reins a risk factor for a positive Vira pap result in oral contraceptive risers. If the folate effects are cau sal, the findings suggest that erythrocyte folate levels should be hig her in oral contraceptive users than in nonusers to protect against an abnormal cytologic smear.