Can HPV Infection Lead to CVD Mortality?

Several studies have demonstrated an association between high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, evidence of the association between HR-HPV infection and CVD mortality is inconclusive. Now, a study investigated this association in 163,250 CVD-free women (mean age: 40.2 years) who underwent HR-HPV screening. During the follow-up of up to 17 years, the prevalence of HR-HPV infections was 9.2%, with 134 CVD deaths reported.

The hazard ratios (HRs) for atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD; 3.91), ischemic heart disease (3.74), and stroke (5.86) mortality were higher among women with HR-HPV infection than those without HR-HPV infection. Furthermore, the relationship between HR-HPV infection and ASCVD mortality was more robust among obese women than in non-obese women (HR – 4.81 vs. 2.86). The study suggests clinicians should consider patients with…