Significance of Genotype-Specific High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Testing in Cervical Cancer Screening: A Hospital-Based Study

Abstract

This study explored histopathological outcomes among women who tested positive for high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV), examined the significance of extended HPV genotyping, and identified predictors of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2⁺). This retrospective review assessed medical records of women who screened positive for hrHPV between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2023. Genotyping results, diagnostic procedures, and histopathological findings were collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with p <  0.05 considered statistically significant. Among 1981 women, the median age was 40 years (IQR 32.0‒49.0), and the median parity was 1 (IQR 0‒2). Overall, 1223 women (61.7%) had prior screening, 1215 women (61.3%) had previous cytology, and 107 women (5.4%) had prior hrHPV testing. Single-genotype infection occurred in 1408 women (74.7%), with HPV52, HPV16, and HPV58 identified in 23.7%, 15.6%, and 15.4% of cases, respectively. CIN2⁺ was detected in 152 women (7.7%), including 130 with CIN2/CIN3/AIS and 22 with cancer. Detection of HPV16 significantly increased the risk of CIN2⁺ (odds ratio [OR] 4.534, 95% CI: 3.197‒6.430), as did multiparity (OR 1.497, 95% CI: 1.070‒2.094). The immediate risk of CIN2⁺ for HPV31, HPV39, HPV56, HPV66, and HPV68 was below 4%. Among hrHPV-positive women, 7.7% had CIN2⁺. Extended hrHPV genotyping may refine risk stratification by highlighting HPV16 and multiparity as significant predictors of CIN2⁺ lesions.