Association Between Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and the Risk of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Concerns about the occurrence of autoimmune diseases are one of the main reasons influencing the uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Limited evidence exists regarding the relationship between HPV vaccination and the risk of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between HPV vaccination and the risk of HT development in American women. Methods: Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2007 to 2012, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 2717 women aged 18–59 with comprehensive data on relevant HPV vaccination status, HPV DNA vaginal swab results, and thyroid function. The relationship between HPV vaccination and the risk of HT development was explored by weighted logistic regression, while the association between HPV vaccination and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb)/thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb) levels was analyzed by weighted linear regression. Results: In the fully adjusted model, HPV vaccination was associated with an 87% decrease in the risk of developing HT (OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.02, 0.76). Furthermore, weighted linear regression demonstrated significant negative associations between HPV vaccination and TPOAb levels (−22.27 (−34.86, −9.68), p = 0.001) and TGAb levels (−7.53 (−14.88, −0.18), p = 0.045). HPV vaccination was significantly negatively correlated with the risk of HT development and TPOAb/TGAb levels. Conclusions: We advocate for adherence to vaccination guidelines, which could confer dual protective benefits against HPV and potentially reduce the risk of HT development.