Objectives: To study risk factors for incident cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) among HIV-infected women.
Patients and methods: Prospective study of a population of 97 HIV-infected women with normal Pap smear at inclusion.
Results: Fourteen CIN (diagnosed by colposcopy and confirmed with biopsy) were observed within a median follow-up of 38 months (13 CIN 1, one CIN 2). The incidence of cervical lesions was estimated to be 2%, 7% and 10% respectively at one year, two and three years after inclusion, The time to occurrence was very variable (ranging from 7 months to 6 years) among our patients. No known risk factors, in particular neither the CD4 cell count nor antiretroviral treatment, were identified to be associated with occurrence of CIN in our study population.
Conclusion: Regardless of their immune status and HIV treatments, extensive and prolonged gynaecological follow up of HIV-infected women remains necessary.