The role of HPV in the etiopathogenesis of pterygium and the relationship with recurrence

Abstract

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HPV in pterygium with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and to investigate the relationship with clinicopathological factors. A secondary aim was to evaluate the relationship between HPV and the recurrence of pterygium.

Methods: The study included 60 patients. PCR analysis was used to determine the presence of HPV. All the patients were followed up in respect of the development of recurrence. Analyses were performed of patient age, pterygium site, specimen and pterygium size, histopathological findings, HPV status, operation technique and postoperative follow-up findings. In the HPV-positive patients, the relationship between HPV subtypes and other factors was evaluated. To determine the risk factors affecting recurrence rates, multivariate Cox regression analysis was applied subsequent to univariate analysis. In the Cox regression model, HPV status, age, sex, specimen size, size and site of pterygium were included among factors that may affect recurrences rates.

Results: Of the total 60 patients, the HPV-PCR test result could not be analysed in 14 because of an insufficient sample. Of the 46 patients with sufficient material for HPV-PCR analysis, the HPV-PCR result was positive in 15 (32.6%). The HPV subtype most often determined was type 16. No statistically significant relationship was determined between HPV positivity and HPV subtype and age or sex. Recurrence was determined in 10% of all the patients. Of the cases determined with recurrence, 66.7% were HPV positive. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, the recurrence rates in HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients were 26.7% and 6.5%, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between two groups in terms of recurrence rates (p: 0.046). According to the results of multivariate Cox regression analysis, though not statistically significant, the risk of recurrence was increased 6.18 times in HPV-positive patients with pterygium compared to HPV-negative ones.

Conclusion: HPV infection may have a role in the development of pterygium and recurrence, but may not be sufficient alone. HPV probably has a role in the development of pterygium by acting together with several co-factors in the multi-stage process.

Keywords: Conjunctiva; HPV; Pterygium; Recurrence.