Short-term type-specific HPV persistence and its predictors in an asymptomatic general female population in Zhejiang, China

Objective

To study short-term type-specific human papillomavirus (HPV) persistence and associated predictors in an asymptomatic general female population in Zhejiang, China.

Methods

Persistence was evaluated in women who were HPV positive at enrollment and who returned within 6–14 months. Liquid-based cytology screening was encouraged for returning women.

Results

Persistence was evaluated in 548 women. Overall persistence was 49.1%, and established high-risk HPV persistence was 54.5%. The types associated with the highest level of persistence were HPV-52, HPV-58, HPV-56, and HPV-16—most of which belong to α9 species. In total, 252 women refused cytology screening. No differences were found regarding HPV persistence and other variables among women who returned for follow-up, women who accepted cytology screening, and women who refused cytology screening. Among women aged 35 years or older, there were no differences between those with normal cytology and those with abnormal cytology in the short-term persistence of HPV types, except for HPV-58 (P < 0.01) and HPV-81 (P = 0.04). Established high-risk HPV persistence increased with age, low income, and early sexual experience.

Conclusion

The data support close surveillance of older women with established high-risk HPV infections, and conservative management of women with non-α9 HPV and no risk factors.