Increased prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus: Association with human papillomavirus infection

Abnormal Pap smears were more common among SLE patients than controls, even after adjusting for HPV status. SLE-associated immunosuppression increases susceptibility to high-risk HPV infection and multiple HPV infections. The use of immunosuppressant agents was not associated with abnormal Pap smears.