Silver nitrate may be far superior to podophyllin in clearing HPV external anogenital warts

West Indian Med J. 2008 Jan;57(1):63-5.

Abstract

Longitudinal data from a case series indicated that clearance rates (95% CIs) of anogenital warts (AGW) by silver nitrate (n = 14) and podophyllin (n = 34) were 93% (79.35, 100) and 14.7% (3, 27) respectively; and RR, 6.31 (95% CI 2.77, 14.37, p = 0.052), relative benefit increase, 532% (410, 654), and NNT, 1 (1, 2). The total effort needed US$28(BB$56) vs US$598 in 1-3 vs 1-37 visits to achieve one successfully treated patient respectively. While subject to the errors of an open, non-randomized case series, silver nitrate was highly efficacious and cost-effective and should replace podophyllin at the Winston Scot Polyclinic.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / economics
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Condylomata Acuminata / drug therapy*
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Podophyllin / economics
  • Podophyllin / therapeutic use*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Silver Nitrate / economics
  • Silver Nitrate / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Podophyllin
  • Silver Nitrate