Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide, affecting up to 90% of sexually active women. The vast majority of patients clear the infection spontaneously. However, there is a percentage of women in whom HPV persists, causing lesions that can progress to cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in young women in Europe.

Procare Health collaborates with physicians and patients in the clinical development of novel treatments such as PAPILOCARE® – the first treatment to prevent and treat cervical lesions caused by HPV – and to deepen the understanding of HPV infection and its consequences. The Papiloscopy Survey aims to better understand the clinical practice in the management of HPV infection by specialists in Spain, in order to improve therapeutic solutions and patient awareness.

Several factors can influence the follow-up of patients positive for human papillomavirus (HPV), as it can clear up spontaneously or persist causing lesions and even cervical cancer. The Papilloscopy survey aims to learn about the management of patients over 30 years of age, HPV+ and with low-grade cervical lesions seen by Spanish specialists.

Physicians reported that 28% of the total number of Pap smears performed show HPV-related results. Following a cytologic result of ASCUS, 95% of physicians perform an HPV determination always or frequently. When an LSIL result is seen, 13.5% perform an HPV determination, 40.2% perform an immediate colposcopy and 36.8% perform both tests. If colposcopy results in suspected HPV-induced lesions, 40% perform a biopsy. The gynecologists surveyed estimated that low-grade lesions (LSIL) remit within 6 months in 27% of cases, while 64% of them consider that these lesions persist for 2 years before evolving to high-grade lesions (HSIL). As for viral clearance, respondents estimated that HPV persists for more than 6 months in 60% of patients. After detection of abnormal HPV-related cytology, follow-up is performed, on average at 6 months.