The Global Burden of Cervical Cancer Associated with HIV – A Meta-Analysis and Modelling Study

Abstract

Background: The contribution of HIV infection to cervical cancer burden at a population-level has not been systematically quantified. We aimed to investigate cervical cancer risk among women living with HIV (WLHIV), and to estimate the global cervical cancer burden associated with HIV. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search and a meta-analysis to estimate the pooled risk ratio (RR) of cervical cancer among WLHIV. The RR was combined with country-specific UNAIDS estimates of HIV prevalence and GLOBOCAN 2018 estimates of cervical cancer, to calculate the proportion of WLHIV among women with cervical cancer, as well as population attributable fractions and age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) of HIV-attributable cervical cancer. Findings: In all, 24 studies met our inclusion criteria including a total of 236 127 WLHIV, providing a pooled cervical cancer RR of 6·07 (95% CI, 4·40–8·37). Globally, 5·8% (33 000) of all cervical cancers in 2018 were diagnosed in WLHIV and 4·9% (28 000 cases) were attributable to HIV infection. The most affected regions were eastern and southern Africa, and western and central Africa where 35·5% (24 000) and 10·0% (4 300) of cervical cancers were diagnosed among WLHIV, respectively. ASIRs of HIV-attributable cervical cancer were over 20 per 100 000 in 6 countries, all in eastern and southern Africa. Interpretation: WLHIV have a significantly elevated risk of cervical cancer. HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening for WLHIV are particularly critical for sub-Saharan African countries where a substantial HIV-attributable cervical cancer burden has added to the existing cervical cancer burden. Funding: Support for this project was provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) through funding made possible by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The contents in this article are the sole responsibility of the authors, and do not necessarily represent the decisions, policy or views of WHO, IARC, USAID, PEPFAR or the United States Government. Conflict of Interest: DS: Nothing to declare LFT: Nothing to declare KKL: Nothing to declare IB: Nothing to declare AIK: Nothing to declare ASVS: Nothing to declare DAM: Nothing to declare SLG: Nothing to declare SJK: Nothing to declare ASW: Nothing to declare RB: Nothing to declare GC: Nothing to declare NB: Nothing to declare SD: Nothing to declare