Epidemiology and Clinical Profile of Cutaneous Warts in Chinese College Students: A Cross-Sectional and Follow-Up Study

Jianjun Liu, Hongtian Li, Fan Yang, Yingyun Ren, Tianbao Xia, Zigang Zhao, Xiaojia Cao, Zekun Wang, Mengmeng Yin, Shichao Lu, Jianjun Liu, Hongtian Li, Fan Yang, Yingyun Ren, Tianbao Xia, Zigang Zhao, Xiaojia Cao, Zekun Wang, Mengmeng Yin, Shichao Lu

Abstract

In this study, the hands and feet of 15,384 undergraduate and postgraduate students in 3 colleges in Beijing were examined for the presence of cutaneous warts at college-entry, and those diagnosed with warts were followed up 2-3 years later. We identified totally 215 (1.4%; 95% CI, 1.2-1.6%) students with warts. The prevalence was significantly higher in male than in female students (2.0% vs. 0.9%, P < 0.0001). Of the 215 patients, 66.9% and 62.1% had only one wart and 98.3% and 93.2% had warts <1 cm in diameter, on the hands and feet, respectively. Of the 130 patients with a follow-up visit, 78 did not receive any treatment (44 recovered within 2 years). Patients aged 21-25 compared to those aged ≤20 were more likely to be free of warts (hazard ratio = 1.76; 95% CI, 1.07-2.89), while lower father's education (hazard ratio = 0.19; 95% CI, 0.04-0.98) and poor sleep quality (hazard ratio = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.18-0.92) decreased the likelihood of resolution. The prevalence of warts is 1.4% in college students. The majority of patients have warts <1 cm and approximately 2/3 patients has one wart. Slightly over half of patients recover spontaneously within 2 years. Patients' age, sleep quality, and paternal education may affect the resolution.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

References

    1. Chen SL, Tsao YP, Lee JW, Sheu WC, Liu YT. Characterization and analysis of human papillomaviruses of skin warts. Arch Dermatol Res. 1993;285:460–465. doi: 10.1007/BF00376818.
    1. Rubben A, Kalka K, Spelten B, Grussendorf-Conen EI. Clinical features and age distribution of patients with HPV 2/27/57-induced common warts. Arch Dermatol Res. 1997;289:337–340. doi: 10.1007/s004030050201.
    1. Iftner A, et al. The prevalence of human papillomavirus genotypes in nonmelanoma skin cancers of nonimmunosuppressed individuals identifies high-risk genital types as possible risk factors. Cancer Res. 2003;63:7515–7519.
    1. Porro AM, et al. Detection and typing of human papillomavirus in cutaneous warts of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Br J Dermatol. 2003;149:1192–1199. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2003.05650.x.
    1. Hagiwara K, et al. A genotype distribution of human papillomaviruses detected by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing analysis in a large sample of common warts in Japan. J Med Virol. 2005;77:107–112. doi: 10.1002/jmv.20421.
    1. Tomson N, et al. Human papillomavirus typing of warts and response to cryotherapy. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2011;25:1108–1111. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03906.x.
    1. Bruggink SC, et al. Cutaneous wart-associated HPV types: prevalence and relation with patient characteristics. J Clin Virol. 2012;55:250–255. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2012.07.014.
    1. Androphy, E. J. & Lowy, D. R. Warts in Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine (7th ed. Wolff, K. et al.) 1914–1923 (McGraw-Hill, 2008).
    1. Williams HC, Pottier A, Strachan D. The descriptive epidemiology of warts in British schoolchildren. Br J Dermatol. 1993;128:504–511. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1993.tb00226.x.
    1. Kilkenny M, Merlin K, Young R, Marks R. The prevalence of common skin conditions in Australian school students: 1. Common, plane and plantar viral warts. Br J Dermatol. 1998;138:840–845. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.1998.02222.x.
    1. van Haalen FM, Bruggink SC, Gussekloo J, Assendelft WJ, Eekhof JA. Warts in primary schoolchildren: prevalence and relation with environmental factors. Br J Dermatol. 2009;161:148–152. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09160.x.
    1. Yamamah GA, et al. Epidemiologic study of dermatologic disorders among children in South Sinai, Egypt. Int J Dermatol. 2012;51:1180–1185. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05475.x.
    1. Silverberg JI, Silverberg NB. The U.S. prevalence of common warts in childhood: a population-based study. J Invest Dermatol. 2013;133:2788–2790. doi: 10.1038/jid.2013.226.
    1. Rea JN, Newhouse ML, Halil T. Skin disease in Lambeth. A community study of prevalence and use of medical care. Br J Prev Soc Med. 1976;30:107–114.
    1. Johnson MT, Roberts J. Skin conditions and related need for medical care among persons 1–74 years. UnitedStates, 1971–1974. Vital Health Stat 11. 1978;i–v:1–72.
    1. Bruggink SC, et al. Natural course of cutaneous warts among primary schoolchildren: a prospective cohort study. Ann Fam Med. 2013;11:437–441. doi: 10.1370/afm.1508.
    1. Lu C, et al. Factors of physical activity among Chinese children and adolescents: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017;14:36. doi: 10.1186/s12966-017-0486-y.
    1. Smotkin D. Virology of human papillomavirus. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1989;32:117–126. doi: 10.1097/00003081-198903000-00017.
    1. Massing AM, Epstein WL. Natural history of warts. A two-year study. Arch Dermatol. 1963;87:306–310. doi: 10.1001/archderm.1963.01590150022004.
    1. Larsson PA, Liden S. Prevalence of skin diseases among adolescents 12–16 years of age. Acta Derm Venereol. 1980;60:415–423.

Source: PubMed

Sponsorer och medarbetare

Medicinska tillstånd

Läkemedelsinterventioner

3
Prenumerera