Prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus infection (HPV) and correlation with postmenopausal hormonal therapy in Thai women aged more than 45 years old.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection and to evaluate the association between high-risk HPV infection and hormone replacement therapy in Thai women 45 years old and older.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The present cross-sectional study was performed in 600 women aged 45 years old and older who attended the menopausal clinic of Phramongkutklao Hospital. There were 191 hormone users and 392 non-hormone users. The HPV DNA was studied in cellular residual from liquid-based collection tube and analyzed with a hybrid capture two techniques using a mix of high risk viral RNA probe.

RESULTS

The prevalence of high-risk HPV infection was 34 (5.67%) of 600 participants. When divided by status of hormone users, the prevalence of this infection in non-users, past user group, and current user group was 5.36%, 4.96%, and 10.00% respectively There was non-significantly elevated risk among past (adjusted odd ratio (OR) = 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.36-2.34) and current (adjusted OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 0.80-4.81) hormonal users compared to never users. However, women who currently used unopposed estrogen orally had a statistically significant higher risk of high-risk HPV detection (adjusted OR = 9.82, 95% CI = 3.02-31.89).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of high-risk HPV infection in Thai women 45 years old and older was 5.67%. The oral, unopposed estrogen was associated with a higher incidence of high-risk HPV infection, but a small number of hormonal users. Further investigations are needed.