Prevalence of anogenital warts among participants in private health plans in the United States, 2003-2010: Potential impact of human papillomavirus vaccination

Objectives. We estimated anogenital wart prevalence from 2003 to 2010 by gender and age group in a large US cohort with private insurance to detect potential decreases among people most likely to be affected by human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Methods. We restricted health care claims to those from individuals aged 10 to 39 yearswith continuous insurance within a given year. We derived anogenital wart diagnoses from a diagnosis of condyloma acuminata, or either a less specific viral wart diagnosis or genital wart medication combined with either a benign anogenital neoplasm or destruction or excision of a noncervical anogenital lesion. Results. Prevalence increased slightly in 2003 to 2006, then significantly declined in 2007 to 2010 among girls aged 15 to 19 years; increased in 2003 to 2007, remained level through 2009, and declined in 2010 among women aged 20 to 24 years; and increased through 2009 but not in 2010 for women aged 25 to 39 years. For males aged 15 to 39 years, prevalence for each 5-year age group increased in 2003 to 2009, but no increases were observed for 2010. Conclusions. These data indicate reductions in anogenital warts among US females aged 15 to 24 years, the age group most likely to be affected by introduction of the HPV vaccine. © 2013 American Journal of Public Health.