RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: A sufficient level of vitamin D enhances protection against several infectious diseases; however, its association with cervicovaginal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has not been studied. METHODS: Data for this cross-sectional study were from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006. A total of 2353 sexually active women for whom cervicovaginal HPV infection status and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) level were known were studied. Associations between serum 25(OH)D levels (continuous and categorical forms) and cervicovaginal HPV infection (due to high-risk HPV or vaccine-type HPV) were estimated using weighted logistic regression. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, and marital status, the odds of high-risk HPV infection were increased per each 10 ng/mL decrease in serum 25(OH)D level (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.27). Similarly, the odds of vaccine-type HPV infection were increased in women with vitamin D levels that were severely deficient (serum 25[OH]D level, <12 ng/mL; aOR, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.32-6.38), deficient (12-19 ng/mL; aOR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.08-4.45), and insufficient (20-29 ng/mL; aOR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.22-3.93), compared with those with vitamin D levels that were sufficient (≥30 ng/mL). CONCLUSIONS: Cervicovaginal HPV prevalence is associated with less-than-optimal levels of serum vitamin D.