Risk factors for adult-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

To evaluate risk factors strongly associated with adult-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (AO-RRP).

Prospective, age- and sex-matched, case control.

Patients with AO-RRP and controls completed a computer-based, 89-item questionnaire across three academic institutions.

Forty-eight AO-RRP patients were compared to 73 controls; 43 of the 48 AO-RRP patients were male (89.5%). The difference in the median number of lifetime sexual partners between AO-RRP (15) and controls (10) was significant (P = 0.0387). Additionally, an increased number of lifetime sexual partners (≥ 26) was associated with AO-RRP. No significant difference for the number of lifetime oral sex partners was observed between groups. Increased comorbidity, as quantified by the Charlson Comorbidity Index, was observed in patients with AO-RRP. AO-RRP and control groups were similar across many other variables, including birth history, smoking history, alcohol use, drug use, education, income, and the Short Form Health Survey scores.

AO-RRP was not associated with previously proposed risk factors for juvenile-onset RRP and may be associated with an increased number of lifetime sexual partners.