Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among U.S. women.
Background: Oncogenic proteins derived from tumor-associated HPV induce the degradation of tumor suppressor protein p53. Inactivation of p53 is associated with accelerated atherosclerotic process. However, the association between HPV infection with CVD remains unclear.
Methods: Data were from 2,450 women (age 20 to 59 years) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003 to 2006. Self-collected vaginal swab specimens were sent for HPV DNA analysis by L1 consensus polymerase chain reaction followed by type-specific hybridization. CVD was ascertained by self-reported diagnosis of myocardial infarction or stroke.
Results: A total of 60 females (39 women were HPV DNA positive, whereas 21 were negative) had coronary artery disease. Presence of vaginal HPV DNA was associated with CVD. Odds ratio (OR) of CVD comparing women with presence of vaginal HPV DNA to those without was 2.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27 to 4.16) after controlling for demographics, health/sex behaviors, medical comorbidities, cardiovascular risk factors, and management. At the same level of adjustment, OR of CVD comparing women with cancer-associated HPV types to those with negative HPV was 2.86 (95% CI: 1.43 to 5.70).
Conclusions: HPV infection, especially cancer-associated oncogenic types, is associated with CVD among women.
I think we will learn that viruses are probably the #1 cause for many chronic and acute conditons we once thought were idiopathic.
hate to but in, but are eggs and salt safe to eat again?
“Results: A total of 60 females (39 women were HPV DNA positive, whereas 21 were negative) had coronary artery disease. Presence of vaginal HPV DNA was associated with CVD. Odds ratio (OR) of CVD comparing women with presence of vaginal HPV DNA to those without was 2.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27 to 4.16) after controlling for demographics, health/sex behaviors, medical comorbidities, cardiovascular risk factors, and management. At the same level of adjustment, OR of CVD comparing women with cancer-associated HPV types to those with negative HPV was 2.86 (95% CI: 1.43 to 5.70).”
Interesting, but I’ll need a mathematician for statistical analysis.
What is the percentage of women out of 2450 who would have CVD anyway? Twenty-one out of the 60 weren’t HPV positive. My 2 cents.
I thought this was old news: isn’t that how Keynes died?
(Heart disease caused by his homosexual activities in youth.)
I thought this was old news: isn’t that how Keynes died?
(Heart disease caused by his homosexual activities in youth.)
Use of hormonal contraceptives increases the risk of heart attack, blood clots, and stroke. Use of hormonal contraceptives also correlates strongly with STD infection. Did the researchers “control” that factor out?
And the moral of the story, ladies, is: keep your panties on.
It will be interesting to see if HPV vaccination affects CVD rates in the future.