Epidemiology and cost of treatment of genital warts in Spain.
BACKGROUND
Genital warts (GW) are common and increasing in young people. Ninety percent of GW are due to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11. The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology and management costs associated with GW in Spain.


METHODS
A 1-year (2005) retrospective observational study was performed among a sample of gynaecologists, dermatologists and urologists in six autonomous regions in Spain. Men and women with newly diagnosed, recurrent or resistant GW were included. We estimated the incidence (new and recurrent cases) and prevalence (also including resistant cases) of GW. Healthcare resource use were collected and combined with unit costs to assess the mean cost of GW management per patient. These figures were extrapolated to the 14- to 64-year-old Spanish population to estimate the total cost of GW management from the Third Party Payer (TPP) and societal perspectives.


RESULTS
The overall annual incidence of GW was estimated at 160.4 cases per 100,000. Overall prevalence was calculated as 182.1 cases per 100,000, corresponding to 56 446 GW cases annually (14- to 64-year-old population). The mean management cost was 833 euros and 1056 euro per patient from the TPP and societal perspective, respectively. The overall annual cost was estimated at 47 million euros and 59.6 million euros, from the TPP and societal perspective, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a first overview of the burden of GW in Spain. A quadrivalent HPV vaccine that prevents HPV 6, 11, 16, 18 related diseases will have the potential to significantly decrease the socio-economic burden associated with GW in Spain.
Castellsagué
Xavier
X
Cancer Epidemiology Research Program, Institut Català d'Oncologia, IDIBELL, CIBERESP, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
Cohet
Catherine
C
Puig-Tintoré
Luis M
LM
Acebes
Luis Olmos
LO
Salinas
Jesus
J
San Martin
Maria
M
Breitscheidel
Lusine
L
Rémy
Vanessa
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D052140:Human papillomavirus 11; D052163:Human papillomavirus 6; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult