Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection: Differences in Prevalence Between Sexes and Concordance With Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection, NHANES 2011 to 2014

Abstract

Background: The burden of human papillomavirus (HPV) positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is disproportionately high among men, yet empirical evidence regarding the differential prevalence of oral HPV infection by gender is limited. Concordance of oral and genital HPV infection among men is unknown. Objective: To determine the prevalence of oral HPV infection, and concordance of oral and genital HPV infection among US men and women. Design: Nationally representative survey. Setting: Civilian noninstitutionalized population. Participants: Participants aged 18–69 years from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2011–2014). Measurements: Oral rinse, penile swab, and vaginal swab specimens were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction followed by type-specific hybridization. Results: The overall prevalence of oral HPV among men and women was 11.5% (equating to 11 million men nationwide) and 3.2% (3.2 million), respectively. High-risk oral HPV (HR-HPV) prevalence was higher among men (7.3%) than in women (1.4%). Oral HPV-16 was 6-times more common in men (1.8%) than in women (0.3%), i.e., 1.7 million men compared with 0.27 million women. Among men and women who reported having same gender sex partners, prevalence of HR-HPV infection was 12.7% and 3.6%, respectively. Particularly, among men who reported having ≥2 same gender oral sex partners, prevalence was 22.2%. Oral HPV prevalence among men with concurrent genital HPV infection was 4-fold greater (19.3%) compared to men without genital HPV infection (4.4%). Gender and lifetime number of oral sex partners were associated with overall HPV, HR-HPV, concordant overall HPV, and concordant HR-HPV infection. Limitations: Sexual behaviors were self-reported. Conclusion: Oral HPV infection is common among US men. Our findings provide several policy implications to guide future OPSCC prevention efforts to combat this disease.

Barrier use during oro‐genital sex and oral Human Papillomavirus prevalence: Analysis of NHANES 2009–2014

“…On average, across the world, 31% of all OPSCCs can be attributed to HPV (Taberna et al, ). According to the most recent estimates, the reported prevalence of any oral HPV type among US adults aged 18–69 years ranges from 7.3% (McQuillan, Kruszon‐Moran, Markowitz, Unger, & Paulose‐Ram, ), to 11.5% (Sonawane, Suk, & Chiao, ). HPV types 16 and 18 together account for nearly 83% of all HPV‐positive OPSCCs, with HPV 16 alone being found in 80% of HPV‐positive OPSCCs (Taberna et al, ).…”

Dermatologic care of sexual and gender minority/LGBTQIA youth, Part 2: Recognition and management of the unique dermatologic needs of SGM adolescents

“…The potential benefit of HPV vaccination may be more substantial among those who engage in same‐sex activity. Males and females who engage in same‐sex sexual activity are, respectively, two and three times more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to have oral HPV infection . HPV is also implicated in upwards of 90 percent of anal cancer cases, for which HIV‐uninfected MSM have a 25‐fold increased relative risk compared to men with only opposite‐sex sexual partners .…”

Prevalence of human papillomavirus in oral rinse samples from healthy individuals in northern Thailand

“…All HPV types frequency among young children <7 years old was 8.7% (HR‐HPV infection was 4.7%) . The rate of HPV infection in oral samples worldwide was found 3.5%‐11% in the normal population aged 18‐69 years (HR‐HPV 7.3% in males and 1.4% in females) . In the French West Indies, the prevalence of HPV infection in normal controls with a mean age between 45 and 54 years was 26% (30% in males and 14% in females).…”

“…An association between HPV16 and OPSCC has been identified in older age groups [odds ratio 16.0 (95% CI: 1.7‐153.6)] . In oral rinse samples (mouth rinse or mouthwash) from healthy individuals, HPV infection was found in 0‐26% of cases . In northeastern Thailand, HPV DNA was detected in about 13% of exfoliated buccal cell samples from the normal population .…”