To investigate the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and risks of abnormal Pap smear and cervical neoplasia in Korea.

3,091 Korean women (median age 49, range 23-82 years) were enrolled, who received a regular Papanicolaou smear and a HPV DNA test with Hybrid Capture IITM simultaneously at Asan Medical Center from March 2002 to December 2002. The prevalence of HPV infection was standardized by age distribution based on the Korea National Statistical Office Population and Housing Census Report 2000. They were divided into two groups by the HPV infection and their reports of Pap smears and biopsies were compared with each other.

Overall prevalence of HPV infection was 12.6% (389/3091) and calculated at 15.5% when standardized. The prevalence of HPV infection was 24.1% (14/58), 14.3% (64/446), 13.7% (165/1206), 9.5% (93/977), 13.3% (50/376) and 10.7% (3/28) in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th decade of age, respectively. The rate of abnormal Pap smear was significantly higher in HPV positive group (7.2%, 28/389) than HPV negative group (1.0%, 26/2702) (p>0.001). The odds ratio of HPV infection and abnormal Pap smear was 8.0 (95% CI; 4.6-13.8). Moreover, the rate of cervical neoplasia was significantly higher in HPV positive group (7.2%, 28/389) than HPV negative group (0.1%, 3/2702) (p>0.001). The odds ratio of HPV infection and cervical neoplasia was 26.2 (95% CI; 7.3-94.3).

The prevalence of HPV infection was 15.5% in Korean women. A Korean woman with HPV infection had eight times more risks of abnormal Pap smear and about 26 times more risks of cervical neoplasia.