Patient-reported factors associated with HPV vaccination in adult Chinese patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases (AIIRDs): a single-center survey

Women with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs) are more vulnerable to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV-related cervical cancers, however, the HPV screening and vaccination rate is low. We conducted a real-world single-center, convenience-sample survey to evaluate the awareness and status of HPV vaccination among patients with AIIRDs at a tertiary hospital in China. Female AIIRDs patients aged ≥ 9 years were enrolled between 1 April 2024 and 31 Aug 2024. Eligible participants were recruited via social media invitations and at outpatient clinics and invited to complete a predefined 41-item questionnaire. Demographic characteristics, rheumatic disease history, awareness of HPV infection and vaccination, results of HPV testing, HPV vaccination status and willingness to receive HPV vaccination were analyzed. Stratified comparison was performed between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. A total of 550 participants with a median age of 34.7 (IQR 29.5–42.0) years completed the questionnaires. The awareness rates of HPV infection and vaccination were 82.4% and 85.8%, respectively. However, only 69.3% of participants recognized the increased risk of cervical cancer associated with HPV, and only 52.0% reported having received cervical cancer screening in the past 5 years. Although 72.5% expressed willingness to receive the HPV vaccine, the reported vaccination rate was only 18.7%. Among the respondents, there were 334 SLE patients and 98 RA patients. Compared to RA patients, SLE patients were younger, reported higher awareness of HPV vaccination, but a lower vaccination rate. This study identifies several patient-reported knowledge gaps and perceived obstacles to HPV vaccination among a single-center cohort of Chinese AIIRDs patients, alongside a pronounced disconnect between awareness, willingness, and actual uptake. Larger, multicenter studies are needed to confirm these patterns.