Complications after treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the frequency of complications after treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and -seronegative women in an ambulatory setting.

STUDY

DESIGN

A retrospective record review of 15 HIV-infected and 44 HIV-negative women treated by laser therapy or cone biopsy and retrospective interviews of 20 HIV-infected and 44 HIV-negative women treated by cryotherapy.

RESULTS

Four of 35 (11%) HIV-infected women had excessive bleeding after laser/cone or cryotherapy as compared to one of 88 (1%) HIV-negative women (odds ratio 11.27, P = .02). After laser/cone therapy, significantly more HIV-infected women (53%) had cervicovaginal infections than did HIV-negative women (18%). A higher prevalence of infection was associated with more severe immunodeficiency.

CONCLUSION

HIV-infected women are vulnerable to complications after treatment of CIN and should be monitored closely.