[Epidemiological situation of post-pandemic sexually transmitted infections in Catalonia, Spain]. / Situación epidemiológica de las infecciones de transmisión sexual pospandemia en Cataluña, España.

BACKGROUND: The growing trend of STIs in recent years was altered after the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. OBJECTIVES: Describe the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on STI declarations received during the pre-pandemic to pandemic period and estimate the number of STI cases expected for the pandemic period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive analysis of STI declarations received during the pre-pandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) periods. The influence of the number of positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 with the number of positive cases of STIs during the months of the pandemic was studied using a correlation model. Using the Holt-Wilson time series model, an estimate was made of the number of STI cases expected for the pandemic period. RESULTS: The global incidence rate for all STIs in 2020 decreased by 18.3% compared to 2019. Chlamydia and syphilis presented a greater reduction in their incidence from 2019 to 2020 of 22.7% and 20.9%, respectively and 9.5% and 2.5% for gonorrhea and LGV. Estimates showed that in 2020 there would have been 44.6% more STIs than those declared. The proportions according to sex, country of birth and sexual orientation changed significantly in chlamydia and gonorrhea. CONCLUSIONS: The measures adopted for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections were able to achieve an initial decrease in STI cases in 2020, however, this change was not maintained during 2021, which ended with higher incidences recorded to date.

Syphilis epidemics: a descriptive study of patients diagnosed in a tertiary hospital between 2011 and 2015. / Emergencia de la sífilis: Estudio descriptivo de pacientes diagnosticados de sífilis en un hospital de tercer nivel entre 2011 y 2015.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In the last decade, the incidence of syphilis has increased in our health area. Our objective is to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with syphilis at our centre and their relationship with HIV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical and epidemiological variables of patients diagnosed with syphilis in a third-level hospital over a period of 4.5 years, as well as their HIV status, were analysed through a descriptive study. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the incidence of syphilis in the period 2011-2015. We included 220 patients, 98% men (94% MSM). 62% were HIV+ and 89% came in early/infectious stages of the disease. 7% were concomitantly diagnosed with HIV. There was a high number of sexual partners and frequent use of drugs associated with sexual activity (46%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of syphilis has increased in our centre in the last 2 years. The most affected group is MSM, with high HIV prevalence and risk behaviours for STI acquisition.

Situación epidemiológica de las infecciones de transmisión sexual pospandemia en Cataluña, España / Epidemiological situation of post-pandemic sexually transmitted infections in Catalonia, Spain

Antecedentes La creciente tendencia de las infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) de los últimos años se vio alterada tras la irrupción de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2. Objetivos Describir el impacto de la pandemia por el coronavirus de tipo 2 causante del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo (SARS-CoV-2) en las declaraciones de ITS recibidas durante el período prepandémico al pandémico y estimar el número de casos de ITS esperados para el período pandémico. Material y métodos Análisis descriptivo de las declaraciones de ITS recibidas durante el período prepandémico (2018-2019) y pandémico (2020-2021). Se estudió mediante un modelo de correlación la influencia del número de casos positivos de SARS-CoV-2 con el número de casos positivos de ITS durante los meses de pandemia. Mediante el modelo de series temporales Holt-Wilson se realizó una estimación del número de casos de ITS esperados para el período pandémico. Resultado La tasa de incidencia global para todas las ITS en 2020 descendió un 18,3% respecto a 2019. La Clamidia y la sífilis presentaron una reducción superior en su incidencia de 2019 a 2020 del 22,7% y 20,9%, respectivamente y del 9,5% y del 2,5% para gonococia y linfogranuloma venéreo. Las estimaciones mostraron que en 2020 se hubieran producido un 44,6% más de ITS que las declaradas. Las proporciones según el sexo, el país de nacimiento y la orientación sexual cambiaron significativamente en clamidia y gonococia. Conclusiones Las medidas adoptadas para la prevención de contagios por SARS-CoV-2 pudieron conseguir un descenso inicial de los casos de ITS en 2020; sin embargo, este cambio no se mantuvo durante 2021, que acabó con las incidencias más elevadas recogidas hasta la fecha (AU)

Background The growing trend of STIs in recent years was altered after the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Objectives Describe the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on STI declarations received during the pre-pandemic to pandemic period and estimate the number of STI cases expected for the pandemic period. Material and methods Descriptive analysis of STI declarations received during the pre-pandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) periods. The influence of the number of positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 with the number of positive cases of STIs during the months of the pandemic was studied using a correlation model. Using the Holt-Wilson time series model, an estimate was made of the number of STI cases expected for the pandemic period. Results The global incidence rate for all STIs in 2020 decreased by 18.3% compared to 2019. Chlamydia and syphilis presented a greater reduction in their incidence from 2019 to 2020 of 22.7% and 20.9%, respectively and 9.5% and 2.5% for gonorrhea and LGV. Estimates showed that in 2020 there would have been 44.6% more STIs than those declared. The proportions according to sex, country of birth and sexual orientation changed significantly in chlamydia and gonorrhea. Conclusions The measures adopted for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections were able to achieve an initial decrease in STI cases in 2020, however, this change was not maintained during 2021, which ended with higher incidences recorded to date (AU)

Emergencia de la sífilis: Estudio descriptivo de pacientes diagnosticados de sífilis en un hospital de tercer nivel entre 2011 y 2015 / Syphilis epidemics: a descriptive study of patients diagnosed in a tertiary hospital between 2011 and 2015

Fundamento y objetivo: En la última década la incidencia de sífilis se ha incrementado en nuestra área sanitaria. Nuestro objetivo es describir las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de los pacientes diagnosticados de sífilis en nuestro centro y su relación con el VIH. Pacientes y métodos: Se analizaron, mediante estudio descriptivo, las variables clínicas y epidemiológicas de los pacientes diagnosticados de sífilis en un hospital de tercer nivel en un período de 4,5 años, así como su estatus respecto al VIH. Resultados: Se observó un importante aumento en la incidencia de sífilis en el período 2011-2015. Se incluyeron 220 pacientes, el 98% hombres (el 94% HSH). El 62% eran VIH+. El 89% acudieron en etapas tempranas/infecciosas de la enfermedad. El 7% fueron diagnosticados de VIH de forma concomitante. Se observó un elevado número de parejas sexuales y frecuente consumo de drogas asociadas al ámbito sexual (el 46%). Conclusiones: La incidencia de sífilis se ha incrementado en nuestro centro en los últimos 2 años. El colectivo más afectado es el de los HSH, con gran prevalencia de VIH y con conductas de riesgo para la adquisición de ITS (AU)

Background and objective: In the last decade, the incidence of syphilis has increased in our health area. Our objective is to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with syphilis at our centre and their relationship with HIV. Patients and methods: The clinical and epidemiological variables of patients diagnosed with syphilis in a third-level hospital over a period of 4.5 years, as well as their HIV status, were analysed through a descriptive study. Results: There was a significant increase in the incidence of syphilis in the period 2011-2015. We included 220 patients, 98% men (94% MSM). 62% were HIV+ and 89% came in early/infectious stages of the disease. 7% were concomitantly diagnosed with HIV. There was a high number of sexual partners and frequent use of drugs associated with sexual activity (46%). Conclusions: The incidence of syphilis has increased in our centre in the last 2 years. The most affected group is MSM, with high HIV prevalence and risk behaviours for STI acquisition (AU)