Prevalence of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV) and Correlation with Postmenopausal Hormonal Therapy in Thai Women Aged More Than 45 Years Old
Pongrak Boonyanurak MD*, Suthee Panichakul MD*, Kittisak Wilawan MD*
Affiliation : * Menopausal Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To determine the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection and to evaluate the association between
high-risk HPV infection and hormone replacement therapy in Thai women 45 years old and older.
Material and Method: The present cross-sectional study was performed in 600 women aged 45 years old and
older who attended the menopausal clinic of Phramongkutklao Hospital. There were 191 hormone users and
392 non-hormone users. The HPV DNA was studied in cellular residual from liquid-based collection tube and
analyzed with a hybrid capture two techniques using a mix of high risk viral RNA probe.
Results : The prevalence of high-risk HPV infection was 34 (5.67%) of 600 participants. When divided by
status of hormone users, the prevalence of this infection in non-users, past user group, and current user group
was 5.36%, 4.96%, and 10.00% respectively. There was non-significantly elevated risk among past (adjusted
odd ratio (OR) = 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.36-2.34) and current (adjusted OR = 1.96, 95% CI =
0.80-4.81) hormonal users compared to never users. However, women who currently used unopposed estrogen
orally had a statistically significant higher risk of high-risk HPV detection (adjusted OR = 9.82, 95% CI =
3.02-31.89).
Conclusion : The prevalence of high-risk HPV infection in Thai women 45 years old and older was 5.67%. The
oral, unopposed estrogen was associated with a higher incidence of high-risk HPV infection, but a small
number of hormonal users. Further investigations are needed.
Keywords : High-risk HPV, High-risk human papillomavirus, Prevalence, Hormone therapy, Postmenopausal
