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Published on: March 8, 2012
Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Subtypes and Related Cytology in Estonian Cervical Cancer Screening Population in
Eamets Dolores1, Innos Kaire2, Hallik Reeli2
1National Institute for Health Development, Estonian Cancer Screening Registry, Tallinn, Estonia.
Abstract:
IntroductionPrevalence of high risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) and its subtypes by sociodemographic factors and the related cytological findings in the Estonian cancer screening population were examined, with the aim to improve cancer prevention.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included all women who participated in the Estonian cervical cancer screening programme from January 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022 and had a valid HPV test result reported to the Estonian Cancer Screening Registry (n = 37 537, aged 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, and 65). Limited sample (N = 18 784) within the total sample consisted of women who used self-sampling (N = 3535) or whose clinician collected sample was analysed using lab methodology that differentiates HPV16, 18, and 45. Data on HPV and cytology results were obtained from the Estonian Cancer Screening Registry, whereas data on education, nationality, and marital status were obtained from the Estonian Population Registry.ResultshrHPV was detected in the samples of 3307 (8.8%) women, and the prevalence was significantly higher in age groups under 40, in women with lower education, of Estonian nationality, and with no partner. The overall prevalence of HPV16 was 1.8%, ranging from 4.4% in 30-year-old women to 0.9% in 55-year-old women. The proportion of normal cytology was 50% among all hrHPV positive women and 35% in all HPV16 positive women, while it was 47% for HPV16 alone and 24% for HPV16 plus other hrHPV subtypes. The probability of normal cytology was significantly higher in women aged 50 and older compared to women aged 30 and 35 for total hrHPV and HPV16.ConclusionAll countries should monitor HPV prevalence across different age groups. As different HPV genotypes have a different oncogenic risk profile, extended or complete genotyping would help personalised risk-based screening approaches, with less health care costs, less harms, and a bigger net benefit. In addition, lab methodology should be harmonised.
