Alternatives to surveillance for persistent human papillomavirus after a positive cervical screen: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol

Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.

Published: November 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • The World Health Organisation updated cervical screening guidelines in 2021, shifting from cytology to primary high-risk HPV testing, resulting in increased awareness of HR-HPV among women, which can cause cancer.
  • The study aimed to identify potential treatment options for women with persistent HR-HPV or low-grade CIN and evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments based on HPV clearance rates and CIN regression.
  • Twelve studies were included in the review, revealing that certain treatments like vaginal gels and photodynamic therapy could potentially offer quicker resolution of HR-HPV and CIN regression compared to natural clearance.

Article Abstract

Objectives: In 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) updated its guidelines for cervical screening from cytology testing to primary high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) testing. This change in testing has effectively led to a 'new disease' as women are now aware of having a virus that induces changes that can cause cancer, which they would have been unaware of previously. While current management involves a 'watch and wait' approach and no active treatment, the anxiety associated with having HR-HPV may prompt some women to seek 'treatments' outside the screening programme. ● to identify potential treatment options available for women with persistent HR-HPV and/or low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), i.e. ≤CIN 1. ● to determine the clinical effectiveness of these treatments, namely by: ◦ HR-HPV clearance rate, and/or: ◦ CIN regression.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. We included cohort studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) only. Records (n = 2135) were screened in Rayyan by two independent reviewers. Quality assessment was conducted using the ROBINS-I tool and the ROB-2 tool.

Results: 12 studies (four cohort studies and eight RCTs) were included: six oral medications, two topical medications, one vaccination, and three non-surgical device treatments. Meta-analysis revealed that some therapeutic interventions, including vaginal gels, photodynamic therapy, and some oral medications, may lead to earlier resolution of persistent HR-HPV and regression of low-grade CIN when compared with natural clearance.

Conclusion: This review can better inform discussions with HR-HPV+ women and answer their questions about alternatives to surveillance.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.09.019DOI Listing

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