Comparable anal HPV burden and abnormal cytology in MSM using PrEP and MSM living with HIV: implications for screening and prevention
Gay and bisexual men taking HIV prevention drugs carry similar anal cancer risk as those with HIV, supporting expansion of anal cancer screening to PrEP users.
This Belgian cross-sectional study of 298 MSM found that PrEP users bear a comparable burden of high-risk anal HPV infection and abnormal anal cytology to MSM living with HIV (~74% HR-HPV, ~55% abnormal cytology), supporting extension of anal cancer screening strategies currently focused on HIV-positive MSM to PrEP users. Post-sexual-debut HPV vaccination was exploratorily associated with 63% lower HR-HPV prevalence, warranting further study.
What the study was
- Study design
- Cross-sectional study
- Population
- MSM (148 PrEP users + 150 HIV-positive) at Belgian HIV/PrEP clinic 2020-2023
- Sample size
- 298
- Category
- Prevention
- Maturity
- Exploratory
- Journal
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
Why it surfaced
Addresses equity gap in anal cancer screening (extending evidence to PrEP population); screening/prevention context; cross-sectional design and single-site limit generalizability.
A plain-language summary of published research — not medical advice. Talk to a clinician about your own care.