High-risk HPV positivity is a long-term risk factor for recurrence after cervical excision procedure in women living with HIV

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for recurrence of high-grade disease after cervical excision in women living with HIV (WLWH), with a specific interest in the role of high-risk (HR-) HPV positivity. Methods: Multicentric retrospective study conducted on WLWH who underwent cervical excision between January 1987 and June 2017 in six Italian institutions. The rate of high-grade recurrence was determined. Risk factors for recurrence and HR-HPV positivity were determined with the Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: A total of 271 WLWH were included in the final analysis. A high-grade recurrence was found in 58 (21.4%) patients. Age 41 years or more at inclusion and HR-HPV positivity during follow up were independently associated with a higher risk of disease recurrence with relative risks of 4.15 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.01–8.58, P < 0.001) and 5.18 (95% CI 2.12–12.67, P < 0.01), respectively. Age 41 years or more (relative risk 1.75, 95% CI 1.01–3.04, P = 0.047) resulted as a risk factor for HR-HPV positivity during follow up. Conclusion: HR-HPV positivity is a risk factor for recurrence after cervical excision in WLWH. Women older than 41 years may benefit from a long-term yearly follow up. Future studies regarding HPV vaccination after treatment in WLWH may be useful, considering the protective role of the higher probability of HPV negativity in vaccinated women.