Human papillomavirus type 16 and 18 viral loads as predictors associated with abnormal cervical cytology among women in Saudi Arabia
Dalia Obeid, S.A. Almatrrouk, H.H. Khayat, T.A. Al-Muammer, Asma Tulbah, Ismail A. Al‐Badawi, Mohammed N. Al‐Ahdal, Fatimah S. Alhamlan
Abstract
< 0.05). The odds ratio (OR) for the HPV 16 viral load was high for specimens with cervical cancer (OR, 18.8; 95% CI, 4.3-82.9) or for those with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (OR, 14.7; 95% Cl, 2.43-88.49). For the HPV 18 viral load, the OR was significant only for specimens with cervical cancer (OR, 11.1; 95% Cl, 2.2-54.9). Logistic regression models for HPV 16 and for HPV 18 viral load levels were significant, with higher viral load associated with cervical abnormalities. These findings indicate that viral load is a predictor significantly associated with cytology abnormality in women who are positive for high-risk HPVs and suggest that integrating a viral load test into current clinical screening practices for HPV-positive women is warranted in Saudi Arabia.