Prevalence of Cytological Abnormalities in Papanicolaou Smears and Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer Among Women in Muscat, Oman

Exploring the prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in PAP smear samples of women in northern region of United Arab Emirates (UAE): HPV Direct Flow CHIP system-based pilot study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of low and high-risk HPV genotypes in PAP smear samples of women in northern region of the UAE using HPV direct flow CHIP method.

METHODS

A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted between September 2021 to April 2022. A total of 104 liquid-based cervical cytology samples were obtained from women aged 20-59 years attending the Gynaecology out-patient department of Thumbay University Hospital and other hospitals of Northern Emirates of UAE, processed for the routine cytological examination to identify and differentiate morphological changes of the PAP smear samples. HPV genotyping was performed using HPV direct flow CHIP method.

RESULTS

In total, 112 HPV genotypes were detected in 63 women (60.57%) included 18 abnormal cytological and 45 normal epithelial samples. 63 LR and 49 HR HPV genotypes were identified in all the 63 positive samples. Highest rate of infection with multiple LR and HR HPV genotypes were detected in women aged 40-49 years (25.9%) and 20-29 years (23.5%). Infection by HPV6 (13.46%), HPV11 (9.61%), HPV16 (9.61%), HPV62/81 (7.69%) and HPV45 (7.69%) were the most common genotypes. A moderate increase than expected incidence of HPV45 and 62/81 (7.69%) were detected. Co-infection with multiple low and high-risk genotypes is present in 20.2% cases; in that, HPV6 (15.9%) was the most common followed by HPV62/81 (12.7%) and HPV16 (11.11%). The prevalence of HPV18 was found to be 1.6%.

CONCLUSION

The genotypes 6, 45, 16, 11, 67, 62/81 were the most common HPV infections in the women between the age group of 21 and 59-years-old. A moderate increase of HPV45, 62/81 and much less prevalence of HPV18 were detected in the study population. 43.27% of the normal epithelia were positive to different low and high-risk HPV genotypes. This finding highlights the importance of molecular genotyping of HPV to emphasize the cervical screening triage.

The Risk Factors for Cervical Cytological Abnormalities Among Women Infected With Non-16/18 High-Risk Human Papillomavirus: Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND

High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection is a necessary cause of almost all cervical cancers. Relative to hrHPV 16/18 infection, non-16/18 hrHPV infection is of less concern. However, the increasing prevalence of non-16/18 hrHPV infections has become an important public health issue. The early identification and treatment of cervical cytological abnormalities in women infected with non-16/18 hrHPV reduces the incidence of cervical cancer. To date, no study has examined the risk factors for cytological abnormalities in this high-risk population.

OBJECTIVE

This population-based, cross-sectional study aimed to identify the risk factors for cervical cytological abnormalities in women infected with non-16/18 hrHPV.

METHODS

A total of 314,587 women from the general population were recruited for cervical cancer screening at 136 primary care hospitals in Xiangyang, China. Of these, 311,604 women underwent HPV genotyping, and 17,523 non-16/18 hrHPV-positive women were referred for cytological screening according to the screening program. A logistic regression model was used to assess the risk factors for cytological abnormalities among these non-16/18 hrHPV-positive women. A separate analysis was performed to determine the factors influencing high-grade cytological abnormalities.

RESULTS

The non-16/18 hrHPV infection rate was 5.88% (18,323/311,604), which was 3-fold higher than that of hrHPV 16/18 (6068/311,604, 1.95%). Among the non-16/18 hrHPV-positive women who underwent ThinPrep cytologic test, the overall prevalence rates of cervical cytological abnormalities and high-grade cytological abnormalities were 13.46% (2359/17,523) and 1.18% (206/17,523), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that women with middle or high school educational attainment were at a higher risk of having cytological abnormalities than those who received primary education (odds ratio [OR] 1.31, 95% CI 1.17-1.45; P<.001, and OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.14-1.53; P<.001, respectively). Living in rural areas (OR 2.58, 95% CI 2.29-2.90; P<.001), gravidity ≥3 (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.19-6.45; P=.02), cervix abnormalities detected in pelvic examination (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.11-1.34; P<.001), and having a cervical cancer screening 3 years ago (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.62-1.00; P=.048) were associated with cytological abnormalities. The risk factors for high-grade cytological abnormalities included middle school education (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.07-1.98; P=.02), living in rural regions (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.10-2.10; P=.01), and cervix abnormality (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.30-2.26; P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The dominant epidemic of non-16/18 hrHPV infection is revealed in Chinese women. Multiple risk factors for cervical cytological abnormalities have been identified in women infected with non-16/18 hrHPV. These findings can provide important information for clinically actionable decisions for the screening, early diagnosis, intervention, and prevention of cervical cancer in non-16/18 hrHPV-positive women.