The association between smoking and anal human papillomavirus in the HPV infection in Men Study

Background Previous studies show an association between smoking and anal cancer. The objective of this study was to assess the association between smoking and anal HPV prevalence in men. Methods The HPV infection in Men (HIM) Study is a multinational study that enrolled HIV-negative men. At baseline anal specimens were collected from 1994 participants. HPV genotyping was assessed by Linear Array. Prevalence ratios (PR) were used to assess the association between smoking and anal HPV prevalence. Results Current smokers have a higher prevalence of any anal HPV (adjusted PR (aPR)=1.36, 95%CI: 1.06-1.73) and LR-HPV (aPR=1.59, 95%CI: 1.20-2.12) compared to never smokers. There were no difference in the prevalence of anal HPV between former and never smokers. Smoking status was not associated with the prevalence of anal HPV among men that have sex with men (MSM). Among men that have sex with women (MSW), current smokers had an increased prevalence for LR-HPV (aPR=1.60 95% CI: 1.02-2.50) compared to never smokers. Conclusions While there was no difference in anal HPV prevalence among MSM by smoking status, MSW that currently smoked had a higher prevalence of LR-HPV. Futher research is needed to assess the role smoking in anal HPV persistence.