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Efficacy of non-invasive photodynamic therapy for female lower reproductive tract diseases associated with HPV infection: a comprehensive meta-analysis

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Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a proposed non-invasive, highly effective, and fertility-preserving method for the treatment of lower reproductive tract diseases in women. We aim to evaluate the effect of PDT on complete remission, recurrence, and HPV clearance in diseases of the female lower reproductive tract associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in this meta-analysis. PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched to compare PDT with other treatments for complete remission, recurrence, and HPV clearance in women with lower genital tract disease. Fixed or random effect models were performed to assess the pooled effect size. Sensitivity analysis was performed to detect heterogeneity in the included studies. The Begg and Egger test assessed publication bias. There were 12 studies qualified for inclusion; compared to other treatments, PDT had a significant advantage in complete remission (OR=2.97, 95%CI, 2.18–4.04, I2=0, P<0. 001) and recurrence (OR, 0.21; 95%CI, 0.11–0.39; I2=34.9%, P<0. 001). Furthermore, PDT clears HPV quickly and lastingly compared to other therapies (OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.41–4.95; I2=71.0%, P=0.002). In addition, the heterogeneity test of sensitivity analysis suggested that the results were robust. Begg test (P=0.73) and Egger test (P=0.71) showed no publication bias. PDT treats diseases of the female lower reproductive tract associated with HPV infection: high complete remission, low recurrence, and rapid and lasting HPV clearance. The PDT seems to be a non-invasive, effective, and promising treatment of female lower reproductive tract diseases associated with HPV infection.

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Acknowledgements

We are sincerely grateful to the participants and their cooperation. We are sincerely grateful to the Photodynamic Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, for their information, guidance, and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, 107 Wenhua West Road, Lixia District, **an City, Shandong Province, China

    Yanhui Li & Mengyao Zhang

  2. Yiyuan People’s Hospital, Zibo City, Shandong Province, China

    Cuiju Hua

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  1. Yanhui Li
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Yanhui Li: project development, manuscript writing

Cuiju Hua: data collection

Mengyao Zhang: explore literature

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Li, Y., Hua, C. & Zhang, M. Efficacy of non-invasive photodynamic therapy for female lower reproductive tract diseases associated with HPV infection: a comprehensive meta-analysis. Lasers Med Sci 38, 42 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03713-5

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