Transmission and clearance of human papillomavirus infection in the oral cavity and its role in oropharyngeal carcinoma - A review.

The majority of sexually active individuals becomes infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) at least once in their lifetime. Pathways for HPV transmission vary across different mucosal sites per individual. They include autoinoculation within one host, direct transmission between individuals (including perinatal transmission and transmission during sexual activity), and indirect transmission through contact with hands. The authors aim to clarify the prevalence and route of transmission per anatomic site, inter- and intra-individually, using a narrative review of the literature. In conclusion, transmission of HPV to the oral cavity and oropharynx is hypothesised to occur mainly through sexual contact. Transmission of particles through saliva has not been proven and daily living activities are not a documented source of HPV infection. Oropharyngeal HPV related cancer survivors and their partners do not show increased risk of infection during sexual intercourse. Transmission of HPV to the oral cavity (autoinoculation with fingers or transmission through saliva in deep kissing) is probably of limited importance.

Pharmacology, particle deposition and drug administration techniques of intranasal corticosteroids for treating allergic rhinitis.

This review presents an overview of the available literature regarding intranasal corticosteroids (INCs) for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). Various treatment options exist for AR including INCs, antihistamines and leucotriene antagonists. INCs are considered to be the most effective therapy for moderate-to-severe AR, as they are effective against nasal and ocular symptoms and improve quality of life. Their safety has been widely observed. INCs are effective and safe for short-term use. Local adverse events are observed but generally well-tolerated. The occurrence of (serious) systemic adverse events is unlikely but cannot be ruled out. There is a lack of long-term safety data. INC may cause serious eye complications. The risk of INCs on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, on bone mineral density reduction or osteoporosis and on growth in children, should be considered during treatment. Pharmacological characteristics of INCs (e.g. the mode of action and pharmacokinetics) are well known and described. We sought to gain insight into whether specific properties affect the efficacy and safety of INCs, including nasal particle deposition, which the administration technique affects. However, advances are lacking regarding the improved understanding of the effect of particle deposition on efficacy and safety and the effect of the administration technique. This review emphasizes the gaps in knowledge regarding this subject. Advances in research and health care are necessary to improve care for patients with AR.

Informed consent for suspension microlaryngoscopy: what should we tell the patient? A consensus statement of the European Laryngological Society.

INTRODUCTION: Informed consent for any surgical intervention is necessary, as only well-informed patients can actively participate in the decision-making process about their care, and better understand the likely or potential outcomes of their treatment. No consensus exists on informed consent for suspension microlaryngoscopy (SML). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Informed consent procedures in nine countries on five continents were studied. RESULTS: Several risks can be discerned: risks of SML as procedure, anesthesiologic risks of SML, specific risks of phonosurgery, risks of inadequate glottic exposure or unexpected findings, risks of not treating. SML has recognized potential complications, that can be divided in temporary (minor) complications, and lasting (major) complications. CONCLUSION: SML is a safe procedure with low morbidity, and virtually no mortality. Eleven recommendations are provided.

Immunological response to quadrivalent HPV vaccine in treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Aim of this study was to explore influence of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil(®)) on the immune status of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) patients. In retrospective observational study, six RRP patients who received the quadrivalent HPV vaccine and whose HPV seroreactivity was measured were included. Multiplex HPV Serology was used to determine HPV-specific antibodies pre- and post-vaccination. Surgical interventions and patient records were analyzed. Five HPV6 and 1 HPV11 infected patient were included. Mean antibody reactivity against the associated HPV type rose from 1125 median fluorescence intensity (MFI) pre-vaccination to 4690 MFI post-vaccination (p < 0.001). Median post-vaccination follow-up was 4 years. Poisson regression analysis showed that the quadrivalent HPV vaccine decreased the incidence rate of surgeries. The immune system of RRP patients is able to increase antibody reactivity against the associated HPV type. A double blind randomized controlled trial is needed to determine whether this immunological increase can cause decrease in number of surgeries.

Quality and readability assessment of websites related to recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare disease for which a limited number of information sources for patients exist. The role of the Internet in the patient-physician relationship is increasing. More and more patients search for online health information, which should be of good quality and easy readable. The study aim was to investigate the quality and readability of English online health information about RRP. STUDY DESIGN: Quality and readability assessment of online information. METHODS: Relevant information was collected using three different search engines and seven different search terms. Quality was assessed with the DISCERN instrument. The Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and average grade level (AGL) were determined to measure readability of the English websites. RESULTS: Fifty-one English websites were included. The mean DISCERN score of the websites is 28.1 ± 9.7 (poor quality); the mean FRES is 41.3 ± 14.9 (difficult to read); and the mean AGL is 12.6 ± 2.3. CONCLUSION: The quality and readability of English websites about RRP is alarmingly poor. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 127:2293-2297, 2017.

Quality of life of patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a disease with a high disease burden. Few studies have assessed quality of life (QoL) of RRP patients. This study compares QoL of these patients with controls. Associations between QoL and sociodemographic and illness-related factors are examined, as is uptake of psychosocial care and speech therapy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional questionnaire research. METHODS: Ninety-one RRP patients (response = 67%) from two university hospitals in the Netherlands and Finland completed the following patient reported outcome measures: (HADS), 15-dimensional health-related quality-of-life scale (15D), Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and the RAND 36-item health-related quality-of-life survey instrument (RAND-36) assessing health-related QoL and voice handicap, and they provided sociodemographic, illness-related, and allied healthcare use. Descriptive analyses, χ2 tests, t tests, analysis of variance tests, and Pearson correlations were computed to describe the study population and to examine differences between groups. RESULTS: RRP patients had significantly higher mean scores on depression, health-related QoL (15D) and on voice problems (VHI), and significantly lower mean scores on anxiety than controls. Dutch patients had more pain and a decreased general health perception (RAND-36) than controls. Dutch patients and older patients were more depressed, women were more anxious, older patients had lower health-related QoL, and smoking was significantly associated with voice handicap. Patients who had received psychosocial care had significantly higher HADS-depression mean scores than patients who did not receive psychosocial care. CONCLUSIONS: Having RRP has significant effect on voice-related QoL and depression, but has no negative effect on anxiety and health-related QoL. Risk factors for decreased functioning are different than previously hypothesized by many authors. Prevention should be aimed at these risk factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 127:1826-1831, 2017.

Validation of the Distress Thermometer and Problem List in Patients with Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis.

Objective There is no specific clinical tool for physicians to detect psychosocial and physical distress or health care need in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). The main aim of this study is to validate the RRP-adapted Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DT&PL). Study Design Prospective cross-sectional questionnaire research. Setting Academic tertiary care medical centers in Groningen, Netherlands, and Helsinki, Finland. Subjects and Methods Ninety-one juvenile- and adult-onset RRP patients participated from the departments of otorhinolaryngology-head and neck surgery of the University Medical Center Groningen, Netherlands, and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used as the gold standard. Results A DT cutoff score ≥4 gave the best sensitivity and specificity. Thirty-one percent of patients had significant distress according to the DT cutoff. Significantly more patients with a score above than under the cutoff had a referral wish. The PL appeared to be reliable. Patients' opinions on the DT&PL were largely favorable. Conclusion The Dutch and Finnish versions of the DT&PL are valid, reliable screening tools for distress in RRP patients.

The association between gastroesophageal reflux disease and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Antireflux therapy is incorporated in many treatment protocols for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) because gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is thought to worsen the disease course of RRP. It is unclear if GERD really aggravates the disease course. The aims of this systematic review were to 1) evaluate incidence of GERD among RRP patients and 2) report if GERD changes the clinical course or tissue properties of RRP. STUDY DESIGN: A search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar, following the methods of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. METHODS: Articles with original data, published after January 1, 1990, on RRP with GERD as a determinant were eligible. There was no language restriction. Data on study design, study population, statistics, outcomes (incidence and influence of GERD), and risk of bias were collected and evaluated following PRISMA protocols. RESULTS: Of 1,277 articles, 19 were selected. Gastroesophageal reflux was objectified in 25% to 100% of RRP patients. Subjective GERD was present in 0% to 70% of patients. There is no proof that GERD aggravated the clinical course or tissue properties of RRP, as measured by the number of surgeries, severity scoring systems, or dysplasia. One study did find a higher chance of web formation in patients with anterior or posterior glottic papillomas who did not receive antireflux therapy, but these results should be interpreted with care due to the study's quality. CONCLUSION: There is insufficient proof that GERD does or does not aggravate the clinical course or tissue properties of RRP. Laryngoscope, 126:2330-2339, 2016.

Clinical course of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: comparison between aggressiveness of human papillomavirus-6 and human papillomavirus-11.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is mainly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV)6 or HPV11. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcome, aggressiveness, and treatment response between HPV6- and HPV11-associated RRP. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 55 patients with RRP (1974-2012) was used. Surgical interventions (n = 814) were analyzed, and complications scored. HPV6/11-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on RRP biopsies. RESULTS: Seventy-six percent of patients (42 of 55) were infected with HPV6 and 24% (13 of 55) with HPV11. The HPV11 group had anatomically more widespread disease. The expected number of surgical interventions was higher in the younger age (<22.4 years) HPV11 group, and the older age (<22.4 years) HPV6 group. Regardless of HPV type, earlier age of onset of RRP resulted in a higher number of surgical interventions. CONCLUSION: Anatomically, HPV11-associated RRP behaves more aggressively. Younger patients with HPV11 and older patients with HPV6 experience a worse clinical course of RRP.