Implementation of Routine HPV Vaccination in the Management of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis

Objectives: To investigate vaccine compliance and clinical outcomes after implementation of an initiative to provide the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to all patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all adult patients treated for RRP from 2012 to 2017. Rates of HPV vaccination were evaluated before and after December 2015, when a program was established to increase compliance by educating patients and providing financial assistance toward vaccine administration. Paired sample analyses were conducted to compare intersurgical intervals (ISIs) and number of procedures per year pre- and post-vaccination. Results: Fourteen patients with RRP completed the HPV vaccine series, with 11 patients undergoing vaccination after the initiative began. The pre-initiative vaccination rate of all patients with RRP was 9.7%; post-initiative rates improved to 43.8% (P =.004; odds ratio, 7.26). Of vaccinated patients, there were significant differences between mean pre-vaccine ISI (3.5 months) and post-vaccine ISI (12.8 months; P =.0021), as well as between number of surgical procedures performed per year before and after vaccination (2.7 vs 0.81; P =.014). After vaccination, 5 patients demonstrated no evidence of papilloma regrowth for >12 months. Conclusions: Initiatives focused on patient education and financial support can successfully boost HPV vaccination rates in an RRP patient cohort. Our research mirrors prior findings that HPV vaccination is correlated with an increase in time between procedures and a decrease in number of procedures needed per year—factors that can dramatically reduce the disease burden on patients coping with RRP.