Natural history of infections with high-risk HPV in Chinese women with abnormal cervical cytology findings at baseline.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the natural history of disease in Chinese women with benign cytologic observation and positive for high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV).

METHOD

From September 1, 2004, to June 30, 2008, this prospective study followed up 893 women positive for HR-HPV who also had benign cytologic findings at baseline.

RESULTS

After 3 to 57 months, the viral clearance rate was higher for patients younger than 30 years and for patients who had a low viral load at baseline than for those in their comparison groups. Conversely, the occurrence rate of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3 was higher for patients with persistent HR-HPV infection, those who had CIN 1 at baseline, and those whose the second viral load was increased.

CONCLUSION

Age, viral load, and presence of CIN 1 at the first evaluation were the main factors affecting the natural history of HR-HPV infection in women with benign baseline cytologic findings. The result(s) of the second HR-HPV testing were independent indicators of histologic progression.