Monitoring HPV Prevalence and Risk Cofactors for Abnormal Cytology in the Post-Vaccination Period among Croatian Women.
Ena PešutIvana ŠimićRajko FurešNina Milutin GašperovCvjetko LežFabijan FeratovićTomica Kukina ŽvigačMagdalena GrceIvana Erceg IvkošićIvan SabolPublished in: Viruses (2024)
The incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer in Croatia remains a health challenge despite screening efforts. Besides the persistent infection with HPV, the development of cancer is also associated with some cofactors. The goal of this study was to assess circulating HPV genotypes and risk factors for the development of cervical precancer after almost 16 years from the onset of HPV vaccination in Croatia. In this study, a total of 321 women attending gynecological care were evaluated. Relevant medical and demographic information, including cytology, were collected. HPV genotyping was performed by PCR. Comparing the HPV types found in circulation in the pre-vaccination (1999-2015) and post-vaccination periods (2020-2023), a statistically significant reduction in HPV 31 was noted, while the overall prevalence increased in the post-vaccination period. Besides the expected HPV positivity as a risk factor, the history of smoking was associated with LSIL or worse cytology at enrollment. For the first time, this population study revealed a statistically significant shift in the HPV genotype in the post-vaccination period, as well as the confirmation of risk factors for the development of abnormal cytology among Croatian women.
Keyphrases
- high grade
- cervical cancer screening
- risk factors
- healthcare
- fine needle aspiration
- public health
- palliative care
- mental health
- risk assessment
- squamous cell carcinoma
- cardiovascular disease
- skeletal muscle
- coronary artery disease
- ultrasound guided
- climate change
- cardiovascular events
- social media
- adipose tissue
- lymph node metastasis
- insulin resistance
- chronic pain
- papillary thyroid
- health insurance