Table 2. Characteristics of the postmenopausal study population.

Characteristic	Cases (N=43)		Random controls (N=86)		HPV+controls (N=86)
Agea
Mean±s.d. (range)	63.8±10.0 (45–86)		63.8±9.7 (45–86)		64.7±7.0(45–85)
Live births
0–2	1	2.3	9	11.4	11	13.3
3–4	6	14.0	6	7.6	12	14.5
5–7	15	34.9	24	30.4	16	19.3
⩾8	21	48.8	40	50.6	44	53.0
Oral contraceptive use
Never	38	88.4	67	77.9	71	82.6
<2 years	2	4.7	3	3.5	5	5.8
2–4 years	1	2.3	9	10.5	7	8.1
⩾5 years	2	4.7	7	8.1	3	3.5
Lifetime sexual partners
1	17	39.5	45	52.3	34	39.5
2–3	18	41.8	31	36.1	37	43.0
⩾4	8	18.6	10	11.6	15	17.4
Lifetime Pap smears
0	13	30.2	25	29.1	20	23.3
1–2	17	39.5	18	20.9	37	43.0
3–5	8	18.6	25	29.1	19	22.1
⩾6	5	11.6	18	20.9	10	11.6
Years since menopausea
Mean±s.d. (range)	13.9±1.7 (10–18)		13.6±1.6 (9–17)		14.2±1.9 (10–18)
Smoking
Never	30	69.8	71	82.6	70	81.4
Ever	13	30.2	15	17.4	16	18.6
Tubal ligation
Never	40	93.0	84	97.7	84	97.7
Ever	3	7.0	2	2.3	2	2.3
Income (colones/year)
⩽14 999	17	39.5	49	57.0	46	53.5
15 000–24 999	8	18.6	13	15.1	16	18.6
25 000–44 999	9	20.9	8	9.3	12	14.0
⩾45 000	1	2.3	8	9.3	4	4.7
Unknown	8	18.6	8	9.3	8	9.3
HPV statusa
High risk	34	79.1	8	9.3	86	100.0
Low risk	6	14.0	21	24.4	0	0
Negative	3	7.0	57	66.3	0	0

^aMatching factor.