Effect of the human papillomavirus vaccine on the risk of genital warts: a nationwide cohort study of Korean adolescent girls
- Author:
Jaeyoung CHO
1
;
Eun Mi KIM
;
Jihye KIM
;
Ju-Young SHIN
;
Eui Hyeok KIM
;
Jong Heon PARK
;
Seunghyun Lewis KWON
;
Geun-Yong KWON
;
Soon-Ae SHIN
;
Jaiyong KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Epidemiology and Health 2024;46(1):e2024040-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES:The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination administered to adolescent girls through Korea’s National Immunization Program.
METHODS:This retrospective cohort study included patients who were 12-13 years old, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, between July 2016 and December 2017. The incidence of genital warts (GWs) was monitored through 2021. Time-stratified hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated, adjusting for birth year, socioeconomic status, and the level of urbanization of the region, and were presented with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Data were sourced from the Immunization Registry Integration System, linked with the National Health Information Database.
RESULTS:The study included 332,062 adolescent girls, with an average follow-up period of approximately 4.6 years. Except for the first year, the HRs for the vaccinated group were lower than those for the unvaccinated group. The HRs for specific cut-off years were as follows: year 2, 0.62 (95% CI, 0.31 to 1.13); year 3, 0.58 (95% CI, 0.35 to 0.96); and year 4 and beyond, 0.39 (95% CI, 0.28 to 0.52).
CONCLUSIONS:Our findings indicate that HPV vaccination was associated with a reduction in the risk of GWs among adolescent girls. Notably, this reduction became significant as the incidence of GWs increased with age.
