High Prevalence of High-Risk HPV Among People with and Without HIV: Insights into Risk Factors for Tailored Screening Approaches

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and people with HIV are at increased risk of anal HPV infection and cancer. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anal HPV among MSM with HIV (MWH) and without HIV (MWoH), as well as among MSM under and over 35 years. Factors associated with infection from high-risk (HR) HPV were investigated. This retrospective cohort analysis included MSM receiving care at IRCCS San Raffaele, Milan, Italy, with at least one HPV test collected from 2014 to 2023. Among 1577 MSM, 1427 (90%) were MWH. At first screening, 87.6% were had HR-HPV and MWoH were significantly younger, as compared to MWH. Cytological abnormalities were more frequent among younger MSM, while high-grade lesions were more frequent among those over 35 years of age. In multivariate regressions, the risk of ≥1 HR-HPV genotype at first and last screening was associated with younger age (adjusted odds ratio, aOR (95% confidence interval): 0.33 (0.18, 0.59); 0.34 (0.18, 0.58), p < 0.001) and concomitant STI (aOR 2.74 (1.59, 5.08), p < 0.001; 1.68 (1.09, 2.67), p: 0.023). A discrepancy between the recommend and actual age for screening was found. As a younger age and concomitant STIs were associated with infection by ≥1 HR-HPV, we promote a more tailored screening approach for both MWH and MWoH.