Cervical epithelial abnormalities are significantly associated with non‐HPV lower genital tract infection in female contacts of warts*

Abstract

Objectives(1) To assess the prevaletice of cervical epithelial abnormalities in female sexual partners of men with anogenital warts.(2) To examine the possible association between non-HPV lower genital tract infection, and cervical epithelial abnormalities.Design Retrospective review of the medical records of all female sexual partners of men with anogenital warts attending the GUM clinic in 1990. Setting and patientsThe department of Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM), Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. Sixty-two female sexual partners of men with anogenital warts.Methods Cervical cytology and colposcopy was performed on all patients. Biopsies were taken of colposcopically identified cervical epithelial abnormalities.. Non-HPV lower genital tract infection was detected by routine genito-urinary screening. Demographic data and sexual history were obtained by questionnaire.Outcome measured Overall prevalence of cervical epithelial abnormalities and correlation to the presence of non-HPV lower genital tract infection in the female. ResultsThe overall prevalence of cervical epithelial abnormalities detected with colposcopy and biopsy was 46.8%. The prevalence of koilocytosis and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was 69.6% when non-HPV lower genital tract infection was detected by routine genito-urinary screening. When no infection was detected the prevalence was 33.3% (P < 0.05).High grade lesiotis (CIN II and CIN III) were found in 5/62 women (8.1%). Non-HPV lower genital tract infection was detected in 4/5 women with high grade lesions.Conclusions Nearly 50% of all the female sexual partners of men with anogenital warts had a colposcopically identified cervical epithelial abnormality in keeping with koilocytosis or CIN. There was a statistically significant association between the finding of cervical epithelial abnormalities, and the detection of non-HPV lower genital traet infection.