Epidemiology and costs of HPV infection: review of the evidence

• Main Authors: Francesco Bamfi, Alessia Marocco, Stefano Capri, Mario Giovanni Sideri
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SEEd Medical Publishers 2008-01-01
• Series: Farmeconomia: Health Economics and Therapeutic Pathways
• Subjects: hpv vaccination; cervix cancer; anogenital warts
• Online Access: https://journals.seedmedicalpublishers.com/index.php/FE/article/view/236

HPV infection is a well-established cause of both benign and malign diseases. The HPV 16 and 18 genotypes are most commonly associated with cervical cancer whereas the HPV 6 and 11 genotypes are most commonly associated with anogenital warts. In Italy are currently approved two types of vaccine: Gardasil® is a tetravalent HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 vaccine that prevents cervix cancer and genital warts, Cervarix® is a bivalent HPV 16 and 18 genotype vaccine that protects against cervical cancer and pre cancer forms. Aim of present study was to collect the available epidemiological data and the impact on the Italian National Health Service (NHS) budget of genital warts pathology. In Italy 40,000 genital warts cases per year could be estimated in the female population. The management cost in charge of Italian NHS for the female pathology is evaluated around 7 millions €. Comparing the available evidence NHS costs for genital wart pathology represent 3-4% of the total amount for prevention and treatment of cervix cancer.