Retrospective Evaluation of Clinic, Pathologic and Prognostic Characteristics of Anogenital Warts

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to contribute to the management of this disease with variable dynamics by examining the demographic, clinical, pathologic and prognostic features of the adult anogenital verruca cases followed and treated in our clinic, presenting current data for our country. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we retrospectively evaluated clinical and demographic data of 329 patients aged 18 years and older who were followed up with a diagnosis of anogenital verruca at our clinic between 2015 and 2021. Results: Of the 329 patients included in the study, 78.4% were male and 21.6% were female, with a mean age of 35.2 (± 12.1) and a median age of 32 (range 18-7). The majority of patients were between 18 and 30 years of age, with 124 (37.7%) patients. Extragenital verrucae were detected in 10% of the patients. There was no positive case of anti-human immunodeficiency virus, however, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory positivity in 1 patient, hepatitis B surface antigen positivity in 3 patients and antihepatitis C virus positivity in 4 patients were detected. Histopathologic examination was performed in 27 patients, verruca vulgaris was detected in 19 patients, dysplasia in 3 patients and neoplasia in 5 patients. After one year of regular treatment, 74.2% of patients had no visible verruca lesion, 2.7% were resistant to treatment, 0.9% had a partial response, and 21.6% had a recurrence within the first year. Conclusion: We believe that morbidity and mortality from serious complications such as malignancy can be reduced through timely presentation to healthcare facilities, early initiation of appropriate treatment, and regular follow-up. Copyright © 2024 by Türkiye Klinikleri.