Productivity loss associated with premature mortality due to human papillomavirus-related cancers in Poland.

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is among the leading infection-related causes of cancer mortality and lost productivity in Central and Eastern European countries, including Poland. The aim of this study was to assess productivity loss and indirect costs of premature mortality due to HPV-related cancers in Poland with focus on burden attributable to the 9-valent vaccine HPV genotypes.

Methods: Previously published model using the human capital approach has been adapted to the Polish context by utilizing country-specific epidemiological and economic data from primary national sources. The number of HPV-related cancer deaths, Years of Life Lost (YLL), Years of Productive Life Lost (YPLL), and the Present Value of Future Lost Productivity (PVFLP) were estimated in 2010, 2015, 2019, and 2022. The PVFLP was estimated using either a gross domestic product (GDP) per employed person or average wage. Attributable fractions to HPV types were utilized to determine the percentage of deaths, YLL, YPLL, and PVFLP attributed to HPV.

Results: The number of deaths, YLL, and YPLL due to cancers attributable to 9-valent HPV vaccine types in 2022 were estimated at 1,810, 25,747, and 5,665, respectively. This represented a decline of 14.7%, 28.2%, and 37.9%, respectively, from 2010. Cancers attributable to the 9-valent HPV vaccine accounted for 75% to 100% of all HPV-related cancers depending on cancer type. The PVFLP amounted to EUR 142.00 million in 2022, which represented an 11.5% increase from EUR 127.0 million in 2010. The PVFLP of cancers attributable to the 9-valent HPV vaccine genotypes accounted for 90% to 91% of all HPV-related cancers.

Conclusions: HPV-related cancers continue to pose a substantial public health challenge. Expanding coverage rate for the 9 valent HPV vaccine creates the potential to reduce the burden of HPV-related diseases and avoid productivity loss due to the premature mortality from HPV-related cancers.