Prevalence of human papillomavirus in oropharyngeal and nonoropharyngeal head and neck cancer—systematic review and meta‐analysis of trends by time and region

Background Little information has been reported on regional and time trends of human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence rates of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) and non‐OPC. Methods The study consisted of a systematic review and meta‐analysis using random effects logistic regression models. Results Overall HPV prevalence in OPC (47.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 42.9–52.5%) increased significantly over time: from 40.5% (95% CI, 35.1–46.1) before 2000, to 64.3% (95% CI, 56.7–71.3) between 2000 and 2004, and 72.2% (95% CI, 52.9–85.7) between 2005 and 2009 ( p < .001). Prevalence increased significantly in North America and Europe, and the significant gap between them that existed before 2000 (50.7% vs 35.3%, respectively, p = .008) has now disappeared (69.7% vs 73.1%, respectively, p = .8). Prevalence in non‐OPC (21.8%; 95% CI, 18.9–25.1%) has not increased over time ( p = .97) Conclusions The sharp increase in the proportion of HPV‐positive OPC over the last decade has occurred at a faster rate in Europe compared with that in North America. In contrast, the relatively low prevalence of HPV in non‐OPC remains unchanged. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013