Incidence, persistence, and clearance of cervical Human Papillomavirus among gynecological outpatients in Kunming, Yunnan, China from 2019-2023: A retrospective cohort study

Purpose Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the primary driver of cervical cancer development and progression. This study aimed to determine the incidence, persistence, and clearance of type-specific HPV infections in Yunnan. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted between October 2019 and August 2023 on female gynecological outpatients residing in Yunnan, Southwest China. HPV genotyping was performed using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis. We investigated the incidence, persistence, and clearance of HPV in women who tested again at various times following the initial test. Results This study included 45,149 participants; overall incidence of HPV infection was 36.84% with HPV 52 having the highest incidence, followed by HPV 51, 81, 58, and 16. The age ranges–30–39 and 40–49 y had the highest incidence rates. The overall persistence rate of the HPV infection was 55.56%, while HPV subtypes 42, 52, 58, 81, and 56 showed the highest rates of persistent infection. The highest rates of persistent infection were found in the < 30 and > 59 y age groups. The overall HPV clearance rate was 74.43%, and it increased with age. The most probable HPV subtypes to be cleared were 26, 83, 11, 82, and 44, least likely HR HPV subtypes were 58, 52, and 35, and least likely LR HPV subtypes were 42, 81, and 43. Conclusions Women in Yunnan had a higher likelihood of incident and persistent infections and a lower likelihood of being cleared of HPV 58, 52, 42, and 81. Older adults are more prone to persistent HPV infection, whereas younger individuals are more likely to recover from infection.