Clinical-epidemiological characterization of human anal papilloma virus infection coloproctology unit: Central University Hospital Dr. "Antonio Maria Pineda"

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted viral diseases. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with the purpose of clinically and epidemiologically characterizing anal HPV infection in patients who attended the Benign Orificial Pathology Consultation of the Coloproctological Unit at the Dr. "Antonio María Pineda" Central University Hospital, during the period March 2022 -February 2023, by selecting 288 patients whose average age was 47.09 ± 14.61 years, being the 41-50 years old group (29.17%) and the 51-60 years old group (19.44%) the most affected groups by pathologies of the anal region, with a predominance of male (54.17%). The sociodemographic characteristics with the highest frequency included married (48.61%) and single (47.22%); secondary level of education (44.44%) and traders (18.05%) and housewives (15, 28%) as predominant occupations. The risk factors were represented by onset of sexual intercourse between 16-20 years of age (65.28%), heterosexuality (91.67%), 22.22% reported having anal sex and 5.56% oral sex. Likewise, 5.56% were reported with a history of genital HPV and 4.17% were HIV positive. In addition, 48.61% stated not to use condoms. The initial clinical diagnosis included hemorrhoidal disease (30.55%), anal fistula (25%) and anal fissure (18.05%), and one patient (1.39%) with anal HPV infection. Anal cytology results showed 8.33% flat epithelial cells with cytopathic changes suggestive of HPV infection and 1.39% squamous cells with cytopathic changes suggestive of HPV infection: 50% mild inflammatory negative for malignancy and 33.33% flat epithelial cells without atypia. In conclusion, the anal cytology investigation should continue to determine the actual frequency of anal HPV infection. (AU)

Tamizaje con citología anal en mujeres con lesiones premalignas del cuello uterino / Anal cytology screening in women with premalignant lesions of the uterine cervix / Rastreamento de citologia anal em mulheres com lesões pré-malignas do colo do útero

Objetivo: nuestro objetivo principal fue evaluar la prevalencia de citología anal patológica en mujeres con antecedentes de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical. Métodos: se trata de un estudio de cohorte transversal desde mayo de 2018 a agosto de 2020 en el Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell. Se estudiaron dos cohortes: una de mujeres que tenían diagnóstico de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical y otra de control de mujeres sanas que asistieron al control, con una proporción de 2:1. Se calculó un tamaño muestral total de 205 pacientes, siendo 135 pacientes con NIC con un IC del 95%, suponiendo una prevalencia del 10% de lesiones preneoplásicas anales. El tamaño muestral de la cohorte control fue de 70 pacientes según la relación preestablecida. Resultados: se encontró asociación entre la presencia de lesiones premalignas cervicales y anomalías epiteliales detectadas en la citología anal, con un cociente de prevalencia de 1,77 (IC del 95%: 1,19-2,62) y un odds ratio de 2,69 (1,36-5,30). No se encontraron diferencias significativas en las variables de raza, tipo de relación sexual o tabaquismo. Conclusiones: nuestro estudio concluye que existe una asociación entre la neoplasia intraepitelial cervical relacionada con el VPH y la citología anal patológica.

Objective: the main objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of anal cytology in women with a history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Method: cohort transversal study conducted from May, 2018 until August, 2020 at Pereira Rossell Hospital. Two cohorts were studied, one of which included women with a diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and the other one included healthy women who attended their routine follow up, in a 2:1 ratio. The total size of the sample was 205 patients, 135 of which were patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (confidence interval being 95%), presuming a 10% prevalence of anal pre-neoplasic lesions. The sample size of the control cohort was 70 patients as per the pre-defined ratio. Results: a association was found between the presence of malignant lesions of the cervix and epithelial anomalies detected in the anal cytology, with a prevalence coefficient of 1.77 (CI: 95%: 1,19 - 2,62) and odds ratio of 2,69 (1,36 - 5,30). No significant differences were found between race, type of sexual relationships or smoking variables. Conclusions: our study concludes there is an association between cervical intraepithelial neoplasia related to HPV and pathological anal screening.

Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de citologia anal patológica em mulheres com história de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo de coorte transversal de maio de 2018 a agosto de 2020, no Hospital Pereira Rossell. Foram estudadas duas coortes, uma de mulheres com diagnóstico de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical e outra de controle de mulheres saudáveis que compareceram ao controle na proporção de 2:1. Foi calculada uma amostra total de 205 pacientes, 135 pacientes com NIC com um IC de 95%, assumindo uma prevalência de 10% de lesões pré-neoplásicas anais. O tamanho da amostra da coorte controle foi de 70 pacientes de acordo com a relação pré-estabelecida. Resultados: Foi encontrada associação entre a presença de lesões pré-malignas cervicais e anormalidades epiteliais detectadas na citologia anal, com razão de prevalência de 1,77 (IC 95%: 1,19 - 2,62) e odds ratio 2,69 (1,36-5,30). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nas variáveis raça, tipo de relação sexual ou tabagismo. Conclusões: Nossos resultados mostram uma associação entre neoplasia intraepitelial cervical relacionada ao HPV e citologia anal patológica.

Resultados de la aplicación del consenso cubano de prevención del cáncer anal / Results of the Application of the Cuban Consensus for Anal Cancer Prevention

Introducción: El incremento del cáncer anal en poblaciones de alto riesgo induce a la implementación de protocolos para efectuar diagnóstico precoz y seguimiento de neoplasia anal intraepitelial. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados de la aplicación del consenso nacional de prevención del cáncer anal en Cuba. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio longitudinal prospectivo con 43 pacientes de alto riesgo de neoplasia anal intraepitelial atendidos en la consulta de Coloproctología del Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico "Comandante Manuel Fajardo", desde 2018 hasta 2019. Se evaluaron en el momento del diagnóstico y a los 6 meses. Se hicieron estudios de citología anal (normales, lesiones de bajo y alto grado, y células epidermoides atípicas de significado incierto), examen digital anorrectal y anoscopia de alta resolución (normal, tipos I-II y III). Resultados: El 53,5 por ciento de los resultados fueron normales. En los hallazgos anormales por citología anal, la lesión de bajo grado fue la de mayor porcentaje (50 por ciento). La neoplasia anal intraepitelial tipo I fue la de mayor frecuencia (52,9 por ciento). De los pacientes evolucionados a los 6 meses, la mayoría tuvo resultados anormales de citología anal (55,6 por ciento), se presentó el 70 por ciento con lesiones de bajo grado. El examen digital anorrectal fue normal en todos los casos. Los factores de riesgos predominantes fueron: sexo con penetración anal y sexo de hombres con otros hombres, incluyendo que todos habían padecido el virus del papiloma humano. Conclusiones: El protocolo permitió identificar fundamentalmente lesiones de bajo grado. Los factores de riesgo influyen en la aparición de esta neoplasia(AU)

Introduction: The increase of anal cancer in high-risk populations leads to the implementation of protocols to perform early diagnosis and follow-up of anal intraepithelial neoplasia. Objective: To evaluate the results of the application of the national consensus for anal cancer prevention in Cuba. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted with 43 patients at high risk of intraepithelial anal neoplasia cared for in the coloproctology consultation at Comandante Manuel Fajardo Clinical Surgical University Hospital, from 2018 to 2019. They were evaluated at the time of diagnosis and at six months. Anal cytology studies (normal, low- and high-degree lesions, and atypical epidermoid cells of uncertain significance), anorectal digital examination and high resolution anoscopy (normal, types I-II and III) were performed. Results: 53.5 percent of the results were normal. In abnormal anal cytology findings, low-degree lesion had the highest percentage (50 percent). Anal intraepithelial neoplasia type I was the most frequent (52.9 percent). Of the patients followed up at six months, the majority had abnormal anal cytology results (55.6 percent); 70 percent had low-degree lesions. The anorectal digital examination was normal in all cases. The predominant risk factors were anal penetrative sex and male-to-male sex, including that all had had human papillomavirus. Conclusions: The protocol allowed the identification of primarily low-degree lesions. Risk factors influence the appearance of this neoplasm(AU)

Is there a higher frequency of anal dysplasia and infection by human papillomavirus in Crohn's disease patients?

The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of dysplasia and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the anal canal of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) with a control group and assess whether there is a correlation between use of immunosuppressants and anal manifestation of CD. Patients with CD and control individuals were submitted to anal cytology and material collection for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The cytology was classified as normal, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), or high-grade (HSIL). PCR was considered positive or negative according to virus presence or absence. A total of 117 patients were included (54 in the control group and 63 in the CD group, being 32 without and 31 with immunosuppressants). ASCUS and LSIL were found in 25.9 and 22.2% of control patients and 28.6 and 39.7% of CD patients. HPV was identified in 14.8% of the control group and 27% of the CD group. In CD patients, HPV was found in 37.5 and 16.1% of those without and with immunosuppressants, respectively. Patients with perianal involvement had 15.6% of PCR positivity. There was no statistical difference in dysplasia and infection by HPV between the groups. Use of immunosuppressants did not influence the result, but anal manifestation was inversely proportional to viral detection.

Liquid-based anal cytology as a screening tool for prevention of anal cancer in at-risk populations: a single-center retrospective analysis on 111 patients

Objective: Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in almost 90% of the cases. Its incidence is alarmingly high among men who have sex with men (MSM) and continues to increase at an average rate of 2% per year. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the usefulness and performance of liquid-based anal cytology as a screening tool for prevention and early detection of SCCA in a cohort of at-risk men. Method: We conducted a retrospective study including 111 MSM, aged between 22 and 62 years old, who underwent anal cytological screening with a liquid-based Pap test at our sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) clinic from January 2015 to March 2017. Results: Out of 111 anal smears, 57 (51,4%) resulted negative, 42 (37,8%) abnormal, and 12 (10,8%) unsatisfactory for the cytological evaluation. Only patients with an abnormal cytology underwent anoscopy and subsequent biopsy. The histological results were as follows: negative for squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) in 5 cases, low-grade SIL (L-SIL) in 21, high-grade SIL (H-SIL) in 5, SCCA in 1. Five patients had a normal anoscopy and biopsy was not taken. Conclusion: Liquid-based cytology, reducing the "darkening factors" typical for the conventional smears, has a higher positive predictive value than the traditional technique. Moreover, a cytological diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) or L-SILmay hide a severe dysplasia or even a carcinoma. Thus, all patients with an abnormal anal cytology at any grade should be considered for anoscopy. (AU)

Diagnostic methods for prevention of anal cancer and characteristics of anal lesions caused by HPV in men with HIV/AIDS

Abnormalities found with anuscopy under colposcopic vision, anal cytology and anal biopsy were evaluated in 21 men with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) at the Federal University of Pernambuco Hospital in Brazil. Mean age was 38.4 ± 6.0 years, and mean time of HIV infection was 8.3 ± 5.1 years; 95.2 percent of the patients had been on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for an average of 6.6 ± 4.5 years. Mean CD4+ cell count was 482.2 ± 173.75 cells/mm³, and 80.9 percent presented a HIV viral load of < 5,000 copies/mL. Reported sexual preference was 52.4 percent homosexuals, 28.6 percent bisexuals, and 19.0 percentheterosexuals; 81 percent reported having had receptive anal intercourse and 61.9 percent reported more than 10 sexual partners of the same sex. Results of anuscopy under colposcopic vision revealed 17 (81.0 percent) low-grade lesions and/or condylomata or micropapillae and four (19.0 percent) high-grade lesions with or without condylomata. Among the 21 anal cytology examinations, seven (33.3 percent) revealed low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL); three (14.3 percent) presented atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and 11 (52.4 percent) were normal. Seventeen patients were submitted to anal biopsy with the following findings: three patients (17.6 percent) with normal epithelium, one (5.9 percent) with infection by HPV, three (17.6 percent) with condylomatas, two (11.8 percent) with AIN 1, four (23.6 percent) with AIN 2, three (17.6 percent) with AIN 3, and one (5.9 percent) with PAIN 2. Anuscopy under colposcopic vision was found to be useful for detecting anal lesions and for guiding anal biopsies. Anal cytology was less useful, as it underestimated the frequency of lesions.

Cáncer anal en la era del VIH: papel de la citología anal / Anal cancer in the HIV era

El cáncer anal solía ser una neoplasia infrecuente que afectaba principalmente a mujeres y personas mayores de 65 años, pero recientemente su incidencia ha venido en aumento debido a la pandemia de VIH, fenómeno que tiende a empeorar porque la terapia antirretroviral altamente activa (HAART, por su sigla en inglés) no solo alarga la vida de los pacientes, sino que al mismo tiempo hace posible una prolongada evolución de las lesiones precancerosas que conducen a cáncer anal; además, está plenamente demostrado que la HAART no evita la evolución de las lesiones intraepiteliales escamosas hacia cáncer anal.La citología anal ha demostrado ser una prueba de tamización poblacional útil y costoefectiva para el diagnóstico de las lesiones precancerosas producidas por Papilomavirus humano en el canal anal de hombres homosexuales y bisexuales, principalmente de aquellos positivos para VIH.Esta revisión tiene como objetivo llamar la atención sobre la creciente incidencia de cáncer anal en la población de pacientes VIH positivos, y sobre la utilidad del diagnóstico temprano utilizando la citología anal en este grupo de pacientes de riesgo.

Anal cancer used to be an uncommon neoplasia that affected mainly women and people aged over 65 years, but recently its incidence has been growing, mostly due to the HIV pandemic, and it will become worse because highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) at the same time that lengthens life expectancy in HIV positive subjects, will increase the possibility to develop anal cancer; it has already been demonstrated that HAART does not prevent the evolution of intraepithelial squamous lesions to anal cancer. Anal cytology has demonstrated to be an useful and cost-effective screening tool for detection of precancerous lesions associated with human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the anal canal of homosexual and bisexual men, specially in those that are HIV positive. This article is an update of the state of the art about anal cancer, highlighting the benefits of anal cytology for high-risk populations