Condyloma acuminata prevalence, clinical characteristics, and associated malignancies in Saudi patients at a tertiary care center.

Abstract

Condyloma acuminata (CA) are benign anogenital warts caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Worldwide, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD). Data from Saudi Arabia (SA) remains limited. This study aims to assess CA prevalence, clinical characteristics, co-existing STDs, fertility issues, and malignancies at the tertiary care center King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, SA. A total of 118 patients diagnosed with CA were included. RStudio (version 2024.9.1.394, Boston, MA, USA) with R version 4.4.2. was utilized for statistical analysis. Among 15,016 patients attending the Dermatology Department during the study period, 118 were diagnosed with CA, constituting a prevalence of 0.79%. The majority of patients were male (n=69; 58.5%), with a median age of 33 years at the time of diagnosis. Perianal (n=40; 33.9%) and vulvar (n=39; 33.1%) regions were the most affected sites. Smoking (n=30; 25.4%), extramarital sexual activity (n=5; 8.8%), and abnormal Pap smear results (n=6; 5.7%) were significant findings. Immunodeficiency was noted in 3 patients (2.5%), and HPV vaccination status was low (n=6; 5.7%). Anogenital warts were found in 115 patients (97.5%), with Buschke-Löwenstein tumors in 3 patients (2.5%). Infertility was reported in 10 patients (17.2%); the majority had primary infertility (n=8; 80.0%). HPV vaccination, awareness, and prevention strategies are necessary to reduce CA burden and complications.