Hospitalization for diseases attributable to human papillomavirus in the Veneto Region (North-East Italy)

Abstract

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually-transmitted pathogens. A number of studies in the literature have estimated the burden of HPV-related diseases by collecting data at primary care level, while a comprehensive assessment of the global burden of HPV-related diseases on hospital resources is still lacking.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study based on hospital discharge data collected from 2000 to 2010 in the Veneto Region (north-east Italy). All hospitalizations for diseases potentially associated with HPV were identified by searching the hospital discharge records, then the proportion of these hospitalizations relating to diseases attributable to the HPV infection was calculated.ResultsOverall, the annual hospitalization rate for HPV-related diseases was 21.3 per 100,000 individuals in the general population, 15.8 per 100,000 males, and 27.6 per 100,000 females. Hospitalizations were due mainly to genital warts, and peak among 15- to 44-year-olds in both genders. Taking both sexes together, the hospitalizations attributable to HPV dropped from 24.5/100,000 in 2000 to 17.5/100,000 in 2011, showing a significant decline during this period, with an average annual percent change (AAPC) of −1.9% (CI 95%: -2.8, -0.9;). On the other hand, the hospitalization rate for genital warts tended to increase significantly (AAPC 3.0% [CI 95%: 1.4;4.7]), whilst there was a significantly declining trend in the hospitalization rate for anal cancer (AAPC - 5.0% [CI 95%: -7.7;-2.2]), genital cancer (AAPC −6.2% [CI 95%: -7.8;-4.6]) and oropharyngeal cancer (AAPC −4.3% [CI 95%: -4.8;-3,8]).ConclusionData derived from the hospital records indicate that HPV-related diseases are an important public health issue.

Decline in hospitalization for genital warts in the Veneto region after an HPV vaccination program: an observational study

“…A previous work on HPV-related hospitalization in the same geographical area showed that hospital admissions for GWs increased in both genders from 2000 to 2010, pointing to the need for prevention programs [16]. The data emerging from the present study show a reversal of the trend of hospital admissions for the treatment of GWs, a number of factors might explain this picture besides the increase in HPV vaccination coverage rate.…”

Burden of Disease of Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Hospitalizations in the Marche and Veneto Regions. An observational study

“…Hence, strength of the study is constituted by the size of the population analysed especially if we consider that data are representative of all hospitals in Veneto and Marche territory. By doing so, this work represents an evolution of the previous study conducted only in Veneto [3]. Overall, the hospitalization rates of the two regions were comparable: 49.44 hospitalizations in Veneto and 48.41 in Marche per 100,000 individuals.…”

“…This study represents a first attempt to quantify the hospitalization rates of HPV-related diseases [3], as well as a measure of the economic burden of these hospitalizations from the Italian National Health Service perspective. At the time of the analysis, the population over 18 years old amounted to over €5,3 million, €4 million in Veneto and €1,3 in Marche that was almost 9% of the total Italian population [9].…”

“…When this happens the infection can progress to pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions. In particular, genotypes 16 and 18 are highly-risky virus variances, causing 70% of invasive cervical cancer and dysplasia globally [3,4]. Overall, HPV virus is responsible for 88% of anal cancers in both sexes, 70% of vaginal cancers, 43% of vulvar cancers and 50% of penis cancers [5].…”

“…A systematic revision of the literature tried to systematize the available epidemiological and economic information in the specific national context, estimating an annual direct cost associated with the main HPV-related diseases higher than € 528,6 million (€ 480,1 -€ 686,2 million range) [4]. A study conducted in Veneto examining the hospitalization rates of the different HPV-related diseases in a cohort of 5 million citizens showed that the burden of HPV-related diseases on hospital resources is a major public health problem [3].…”