Systematic review of the incidence and prevalence of genital warts

Abstract

BackgroundAnogenital warts (AGWs) are a common, highly infectious disease caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), whose high recurrence rates contribute to direct medical costs, productivity loss and increased psychosocial impact. Because of the lack of a systematic review of the epidemiology of AGWs in the literature, this study reviewed the published medical literature on the incidence and prevalence of AGWs.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was performed on the worldwide incidence and prevalence of AGWs between 2001 and 2012 using the PubMed and EMBASE databases. An additional screening of abstracts from relevant sexual health and infectious disease conferences from 2009 to 2011 was also conducted. Only original studies with general adult populations (i.e., at least including ages 20 through 40 years) were included.ResultsThe overall (females and males combined) reported annual incidence of any AGWs (including new and recurrent) ranged from 160 to 289 per 100,000, with a median of 194.5 per 100,000. New AGW incidence rates among males ranged from 103 to 168 per 100,000, with a median of 137 per 100,000 and among females from 76 to 191 per 100,000, with a median of 120.5 per 100,000 per annum. The reported incidence of recurrent AGWs was as high as 110 per 100,000 among females and 163 per 100,000 among males. Incidence peaked before 24 years of age in females and between 25 and 29 years of age among males. The overall prevalence of AGWs based on retrospective administrative databases or medical chart reviews or prospectively collected physician reports ranged from 0.13% to 0.56%, whereas it ranged from 0.2% to 5.1% based on genital examinations.ConclusionsThe literature suggests that AGWs are widespread and the prevalence depends on study methodology as suggested by higher rates reported from routine genital examinations versus those from treatment records. However, there remains a need for more population-based studies from certain regions including Africa, Latin America and Southern Asia to further elucidate the global epidemiology of this disease.

Current Status of Condylomata Acuminata in Pregnant Japanese Women

“…The current prevalence of CA in pregnant women, with even higher rates among teenagers, is comparable to some previous observations in a range of sexually transmitted infections (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). In previous studies that reported age-based estimates, younger participants showed higher prevalence of HPV or CA than older participants.…”

Papillomavirus

“…The overall (females and males combined) reported annual incidence of anogenital warts (including both new and recurrent) ranged from 160 to 289 per 100,000. Incidence peaked before 24 years of age among females and between 25 and 29 years of age in males (Patel et al, 2013). …”

“…However, when HPV is transmitted from one person to another, the virus infects the top layers of the skin and can remain inactive or latent for months or possibly years before warts or other signs of HPV infection appear. Prospective studies reported that the median time between infection with HPV types 6 or 11 and the development of anogenital warts was 11 to 12 months among males, and 5 to 6 months among young females (Patel et al, 2013). …”

Number of External Anogenital Warts is Associated with the Occurrence of Abnormal Cervical Cytology

“…The annual incidence of AGWs is 160-289 per 100,000 and the overall prevalence ranges from 0.13-0.56% (Patel et al, 2013). Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection type 6 and 11, which are non-oncogenic types, account for more than 90% of the clinical manifestations as being confirmed by a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis of wart specimens (Ball et al, 2011).…”