Smoking increases the risk of high-grade vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia in women with oncogenic human papillomavirus

Gynecol Oncol. 2008 Sep;110(3):396-401. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2008.05.015. Epub 2008 Jun 30.

Abstract

Objectives: In a large retrospective study, the association of smoking with human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) grade was analyzed.

Methods: A SNOMED search was performed for vaginal biopsy or resection specimens diagnosed as VAIN over an 11-year period. The diagnosis of VAIN grade was confirmed by histological review. HPV genotype was determined by GP5+/6+ PCR and dot blot hybridization with type-specific oligonucleotide probes. Smoking history was obtained by chart review. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test.

Results: We identified specimens from 111 patients (age range 15-84); 64% (n=71) were diagnosed with high-grade VAIN (HGVAIN) and 36% (n=40) with low-grade VAIN (LGVAIN). High-risk (HR) HPV genotypes were identified in 83% of specimens (n=92), other types in 17% (n=19). Twenty-one different HPV genotypes were detected in total. Smoking history was available for 81% (n=90). Forty-one percent (n=37) had a positive smoking history. There was no significant difference in infection with HR vs. other types (p=0.92) among smokers when compared to non-smokers. In patients with HR HPV genotypes, smokers were at an increased risk for HGVAIN lesions when compared to patients who had never smoked (83% vs. 59%, p=0.02).

Conclusions: These data indicate an increased risk for HGVAIN in HR HPV positive women who smoke compared to HR HPV positive non-smokers.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma in Situ / epidemiology*
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology
  • Carcinoma in Situ / virology
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Papillomaviridae / genetics*
  • Papillomaviridae / isolation & purification
  • Papillomavirus Infections / complications
  • Papillomavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / virology

Substances

  • DNA, Viral