Abstract
BackgroundA cross sectional study to investigate HPV prevalence according to age and cytology.MethodsWomen presenting to a gynaecological outpatient clinic for a Pap smear test were included in the study (n=3177). All women had cervical cytology and HPV testing.ResultsOverall prevalence of any 24 HPV type analysed was 33.1% (95% CI 31.5% to 34.7%) and HPV 16 and HPV 42 were the most frequent (6.7% (95% CI 5.8% to 7.6%), 6.8% (95% CI 5.9% to 7.6%)), in total samples. Multiple HPV infection rate was 12.9% (95% CI 11.8% to 14.1%). High risk HPV (hrHPV) types were present in 27.4% (95% CI 25.8% to 28.9%) of the samples.HPV prevalence was highest among 14 to 19 y.o (46.6% (95% CI 40.7%-52.4%)) and second highest among 30–34 y.o. (39.7%, 95% CI 35.4%–44%). HPV 16 was highest among 20–24 (9.0% (95% CI 6.4%–11.6%)) and second highest among 50 to 54 y.o. (6.3% (95% CI 2.9% to 9.8%).In Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (LgSIL) cytology samples, the most frequently detected hrHPV types were: 16 (14.5% (95% CI 12.1% to 16.9%)), 51 (13.0% (95% CI 10.7% to 15.3%)) and 53 (9.1% (95% CI 7.2% to 11.1%)) and in High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (HgSIL) were: HPV 16 (37.2% (95% CI 26.5% to 47.9%)), HPV 51 (17.9% (95% CI 9.4% to 26.5%)) and HPV 18 (12.8% (95% CI 5.4% to 20.2%)).ConclusionsIn the population studied, HPV 16 and 51 were the most frequent detected hrHPV types. HPV positivity, hrHPV and multiple HPV types infections were higher in young women, while HPV prevalence declined with increasing age and presented two peaks a higher (14–19 y.o.) and a lower one (30–34 y.o.) These results may contribute to the creation of a national screening programme.
Highlights
A cross sectional study to investigate HPV prevalence according to age and cytology
We examined HPV prevalence in 5-year periods in order to assess age trends in relation to HPV infection in more detail
HPV prevalence exhibited a peak of 46.6% at 14–19 y.o. and a second peak at the age group 30-34 y.o. (39.7%, 95% CI 35.4%–44%) which decreased thereafter (Figure 1)
Summary
A cross sectional study to investigate HPV prevalence according to age and cytology. Overall and age specific distribution of high risk HPV (hrHPV) and low risk HPV (lrHPV) types data across geographical regions is crucial for the optimization of prevention strategies in each country [1,2,3,4]. Over 100 types of HPV can infect the anogenital epithelium, but only 18 types, designated as “oncogenic”, can progress to severe lesions [5]. HPV 16 and HPV 18 are the most common oncogenic types associated with cancer, and are targeted by recently developed vaccines [6,7,8]. The “non-oncogenic” HPV types are associated with hyperplastic lesions such as genital warts. Infection with a hrHPV is a major contributing factor in cervical cancer. HPV infection usually peaks in younger women indicating the age of their first sexual intercourse while the proportion of HgSIL cases is higher in middle aged women
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