Analysis of the prevalence of human papillomavirus and abnormal anal cytology in women at risk

Abstract

Our aim was to analyze the association between anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and abnormal anal cytology in women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2+). We also analysed what other risk factors might be significant. We carried out a prevalence study from April 2015 to March 2017 at La Paz University Hospital. Genotyping of HPV, anal cytology and high-resolution anoscopy were performed. Of 171 patients recruited, 53 cases (31%) were diagnosed as histological CIN 2+: there were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of anal HPV (OR = 0.8), nor the prevalence of abnormal anal cytology (OR = 2.15, 95% CI 0.8–5.7) compared to women with CIN 1 or no cervical dysplasia. Immunosuppression (OR = 2.51, 95% CI 1–6.3, p < .05), cervical HPV (OR = 3.9, 95% CI 1.9–8.0, p < .01) and being older than 40 years old (p < .05) were also associated with anomalous anal results.

Impact Statement

• What is already known on this subject? Anal HR-HPV and abnormal anal cytology may precede anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN): a premalignant lesion that may progress to anal cancer. It is known that there are four populations which present a higher risk of developing anal cancer compared to the general population: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients, other immunocompromised populations, men who have sex with men and women with a history of disease secondary to HPV infection.

• What do the results of this study add? This study allowed us to compare the prevalence of anal HPV and abnormal anal cytology in women with CIN 2+: it analysed whether these women already presented alterations in anal tests at the moment of the diagnosis of the preneoplastic cervical lesion. It also provides information for the management of the populations at a higher risk of developing anal cancer; specifically, the group of women with a prior history of HPV-associated anogenital disease.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our findings improve the existing evidence on anal HPV infection and anal cytology on the least studied population at risk. Data could be useful for further research in order to clarify the role of anal screening in this population and standardise the clinical practice.

Keywords:

• HPV
• anal cytology
• cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the work of the units of dermatology, microbiology, surgical pathology and biostatistics of La Paz University Hospital.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in “Mendeley” at http://doi.org/10.17632/3g56dg4wdj.3.