53. GENITAL WARTS AND ASSOCIATED HEALTH CARE USE IN GENERAL PRACTICE IN AUSTRALIA

Abstract

The introduction of the quadrivalent vaccine (HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18), GARDASIL, in the National HPV Vaccination program has the potential to eliminate a substantial proportion of the health burden of external genital warts (EGW), currently the most common sexually transmitted viral disease in Australia. Approximately 60% of cases of EGW are managed in general practice. In this study both new and existing EGW cases were identified in the BEACH (Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health) database from April 2000 to September 2006. Extrapolating to the Australian population, there are approximately 34 000 new cases of EGW each year managed through general practice, accounting for 96 000 GP visits. Incidence extrapolated from new cases showed a peak in females in the age groups 15-19 and 20-24 years (5.6 and 6.6 per 1000 annually respectively) and a later peak in males in the age group 20-24 and 25-29 years (4.8 and 5.7 per 1000 respectively). Ablative therapies were the most common form of treatment applied at 33-40% visits for females and 30-64% visits for males (new and repeat visits respectively). Topical medications were prescribed in ~14% of cases. Assigning average costs, the direct health care costs, including GP visits, medications, other treatments and referrals, are at least ~$290 per case.

This study confirms the considerable individual and clinical burden of this common disease.