RESUMEN
In order to identify the probable risk groups, this study analysed the reasons for referral to a urological clinic and the indications for peniscopy among males with suspected genital HPV infection. The patients were derived from a series of 2370 consecutive males attending our urological clinic in Sao Paulo, of whom 652 males (27.5%) aroused a clinical suspicion of genital HPV infection. Patients were categorized into 7 groups, according to their indications for referral. Altogether, 459 (70.4%) were examined by peniscopy, and 403 (87.8%) were biopsied and tested for HPV by Hybrid Capture 2 (HCII) for both oncogenic and non-oncogenic HPV types. The most frequent indication for referral in HPV-positive males (both in peniscopy and by HCII) was other diseases (group 6), followed by those who had partners HPV positive (group 1). The highest HPV prevalence (42%) was found among those with visible lesions, followed by those (38%) with previous condyloma. Of the other STDs, urethritis was significantly associated with HPV detection. Importantly, HPV was detected in 27% of the males referred due to other conditions non-related to HPV. We conclude that the risk groups for genital HPV infections include males with visible lesions, previous history of condyloma, those with HPV-positive partners, recurrent balanitis, as well as those with other STDs. Urethritis is significantly associated with HPV. The most frequent indications for referral to urological clinic among HPV-positive males were other, non-HPV-related conditions. The HPV prevalence rate of 27% among these patients warrants them to be considered as another risk group for genital HPV infections.