Condylomata acuminata (genital warts): patient demographics and treating physicians.
BACKGROUND
Condylomata acuminata (genital warts), caused by the human papillomavirus, are common and sexually transmitted. However, the use of healthcare services for condylomata has never been characterized from a national probability sample study.


OBJECTIVE
To understand better the demographics of patients seen by physicians for this disorder.


METHODS
Data from office visits for warts, both condylomata and noncondylomatous types, were obtained from the 1994 to 1998 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.


RESULTS
The age distribution of those treated for condylomata peaked in 20- to 39-year-olds, with more than 70% of patients in this age category. A younger and wider age distribution was seen in patients with noncondylomatous warts. Women accounted for 67% of the population seen for condylomata, whereas a more equal number of women and men were seen for noncondylomatous warts. Per capita healthcare use for condylomata was equal between blacks and whites, and whites had almost five times more per capita healthcare use than blacks for noncondylomatous warts. Obstetrician/gynecologists were the most commonly consulted physicians for condylomata. Per capita condylomata visits per physician were highest for obstetrician/gynecologists, dermatologists, and urologists, and lower for all other physicians.


CONCLUSIONS
The difference in age distribution between condylomata and noncondylomatous visits likely results from differing modes of transmission and age at first sexual contact. Females are more likely than males to use health care for condylomata, which may be attributable to increased prevalence, differences in treatment efficacy, differences in the gender frequency of genital health screenings, or psychosocial causes. Healthcare use for condylomata appears equal between blacks and whites. Patients with condylomata acuminata were most often seen by obstetrician/gynecologists, whereas patients with noncondylomatous warts most often consulted dermatologists. The fact that per capita condylomata visits per physician were highest for obstetrician/gynecologists, dermatologists, and urologists may imply that specialists in these fields have expertise in treating these patients.
Fleischer
A B
AB
Bristol-Myers Squibb Center for Dermatology Research and Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. afleisch@wfubmc.edu
Parrish
C A
CA
Glenn
R
R
Feldman
S R
SR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013038:Specialization; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology