Condylomata acuminata (genital warts) - Patient demographics and treating physicians

Background. Condylomata acuminata (genital warts), caused by the human papi llomavirus, are common and sexually transmitted. However, the use of health care services for condylomata has never been characterized from a national probability sample study. Goal. To understand better the demographics of patients seen by physicians for this disorder. Study Design: Data from office visits for warts, both condylomata and nonco ndylomatous types, were obtained from the 1994 to 1998 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Results: The age distribution of those treated for condylomata peaked in 20 - to 39-year-olds, with more than 70% of patients in this age category. A y ounger and wider age distribution was seen in patients with noncondylomatou s warts. Women accounted for 67% of the population seen for condylomata, wh ereas a more equal number of women and men were seen for noncondylomatous w arts. Per capita healthcare use for condylomata was equal between blacks an d whites, and whites had almost five times more per capita healthcare use t han blacks for noncondylomatous warts. Obstetrician/gynecologists were the most commonly consulted physicians for condylomata. Per capita condylomata visits per physician were highest for obstetrician/gynecologists, dermatolo gists, and urologists, and lower for all other physicians. Conclusions: The difference in age distribution between condylomata and non condylomatous visits likely results from differing modes of transmission an d age at first sexual contact. Females are more likely than males to use he alth care for condylomata, which may be attributable to increased prevalenc e, differences in treatment efficacy, differences in the gender frequency o f genital health screenings, or psychosocial causes. Healthcare use for con dylomata appears equal between blacks and whites. Patients with condylomata acuminata were most often seen by obstetrician/gynecologists, whereas pati ents with noncondylomatous warts most often consulted dermatologists. The f act that per capita condylomata visits per physician were highest for obste trician/gynecologists, dermatologists, and urologists may imply that specia lists in these fields have expertise in treating these patients.