High Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Patients with HIV-Infection
Abstract
Introduction: Sexual transmitted infections (STI) are an important health problem and increase the risk for acquisition and transmission of HIV. We aimed to identify STIs diagnosed in patients with known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and in newly diagnosed ones.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical charts of individuals attending a specialized STI Clinic from 2009 to 2013.
Results: A total of 680 patients were included, accounting for 8% of the patients observed during the study period. The majority (638, 92%) were male and men who have sex with men (MSM) (489, 72%). Almost half (304, 45%) were migrants. Overall, 270 (40%) patients were diagnosed with at least one STI, syphilis was the most common (123, 18%), followed by Chlamydia trachomatis (46, 7%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection (42, 6%) and genital warts (32, 5%). Concerning HIV status, 329 (48%) patients had known infection and 351 (52%) were newly diagnosed during the study period. The newly diagnosed patients were significantly younger (37.3±9.7 vs 32.4± 9.5 years) and more frequently sought attention for screening. Past history of STIs, partner referral, symptoms and being diagnosed with at least one concomitant STI were significantly more common in previously known HIV patients.
Conclusion: At least one new STI (other than HIV) was diagnosed in 40% of the patients. This represents an important problem not only because concomitant STIs increase the risk of HIV acquisition (for the new diagnosed cases) but also because patient with known HIV infection maintain a high-risk behaviour pattern.
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