Sexual behavior and drug use impact in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men

Background: The emergence of chemsex has raised several concerns about gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men's (GBMSM) health. In this study we aim to analyze illicit drugs and chemsex use, sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infections (STI) in GBMSM who attended to a sexual health clinic and to explore any potential association between drug use and STI.MethodsWe conducted an observational study between January and June 2019 among GBMSM population attending to a STI clinic in Barcelona, Spain. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was given consecutively to all participants older than 18 years who accepted to participate.ResultsA total of 514 GBMSM (median age of 34 years-old) were included. The median number of sexual partners in the last year was 20. Seventy-one percent did not use condoms consistently for receptive anal intercourse. Drug abuse prevalence in the preceding year was 64.2%, and 26.5% of the individuals practiced chemsex. Gamma-hydroxibutyrate/gammabutyrolactone, poppers and methamphetamine were the most common drugs in chemsex. Chemsex was associated to group sex (OR 9.8 [95 CI: 4–24]), HIV infection (OR 2.5 [95 CI: 1.1–5.8]), taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (OR 3.2 [95 CI: 1.5–7.1]), developing gonorrhea (OR 3.7 [95 CI: 1.5–8.8]) or syphilis (OR 6.7 [95 CI: 2.4–18.7]).ConclusionsThe prevalence of drug use and chemsex was high among GBMSM in Barcelona. Chemsex was associated with group sex, taking PrEP, and contracting syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV. (AU)

Antecedentes: El chemsex genera preocupaciones sobre la salud de gays, bisexuales y otros hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (GBHSH). En este estudio analizamos el uso de sustancias recreativas, chemsex, comportamiento sexual e infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) en GBHSH y exploramos cualquier asociación potencial entre el uso de drogas e ITS.MétodosEstudio observacional entre enero y junio de 2019 entre GBHSH atendidos en una clínica de ITS de Barcelona, España. Se entregó un cuestionario autoadministrado anónimo de forma consecutiva a todos los adultos que aceptaron participar.ResultadosSe incluyeron 514 GBHSH (edad mediana 34 años). La mediana del número de parejas sexuales en el último año fue de 20. El 71% no usó preservativo de manera consistente para el coito anal receptivo. La prevalencia de uso de drogas el año previo fue del 64,2% y el 26,5% de las personas practicó chemsex. Gamma-hidroxibutirato/gammabutirolactona, poppers y metanfetamina fueron las drogas más comunes en chemsex. El chemsex estuvo asociado a practicar sexo en grupo (OR 9,8 [IC 95%: 4-24]), infección por VIH (OR 2,5 [IC 95% 1,1-5,8]), profilaxis preexposición de VIH (PrEP) (OR 3,2 [IC 95% 1,5-7,1]), gonorrea (OR 3,7 [IC 95%: 1,5-8,8]) y sífilis (OR 6,7 [IC 95%: 2,4 - 18,7]).ConclusionesLa prevalencia de consumo de drogas y chemsex fue alta entre GBHSH en Barcelona. El chemsex se asoció con sexo en grupo, toma de PrEP e infección por sífilis, gonorrea y VIH. (AU)

Sexual behavior and drug use impact in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of chemsex has raised several concerns about gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men's (GBMSM) health. In this study we aim to analyze illicit drugs and chemsex use, sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infections (STI) in GBMSM who attended to a sexual health clinic and to explore any potential association between drug use and STI. METHODS: We conducted an observational study between January and June 2019 among GBMSM population attending to a STI clinic in Barcelona, Spain. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was given consecutively to all participants older than 18 years who accepted to participate. RESULTS: A total of 514 GBMSM (median age of 34 years-old) were included. The median number of sexual partners in the last year was 20. Seventy-one percent did not use condoms consistently for receptive anal intercourse. Drug abuse prevalence in the preceding year was 64.2%, and 26.5% of the individuals practiced chemsex. Gamma-hydroxibutyrate/gammabutyrolactone, poppers and methamphetamine were the most common drugs in chemsex. Chemsex was associated to group sex (OR 9.8 [95 CI: 4-24]), HIV infection (OR 2.5 [95 CI: 1.1-5.8]), taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (OR 3.2 [95 CI: 1.5-7.1]), developing gonorrhea (OR 3.7 [95 CI: 1.5-8.8]) or syphilis (OR 6.7 [95 CI: 2.4-18.7]). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of drug use and chemsex was high among GBMSM in Barcelona. Chemsex was associated with group sex, taking PrEP, and contracting syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV.

Prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium and macrolide resistance among asymptomatic people visiting a point of care service for rapid STI screening: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Although rapid screening and treatment programmes have been recently implemented to tackle STIs, testing Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) among asymptomatic populations is not currently recommended due to the lack of scientific evidence and the emergence of antibiotic resistance. The main objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of MG and macrolide resistance among asymptomatic people visiting a point of care service for rapid STI screening and to identify risk factors associated with the acquisition of this infection. METHODS: Between October 2017 and January 2018, a total of 890 asymptomatic individuals attending to the STI screening service Drassanes Exprés in Barcelona, Spain, were tested for MG and macrolide resistance using the molecular ResistancePlus MG assay (SpeeDx, Australia). Asymptomatically infected individuals were invited to attend the STI Unit for resistance-guided antimicrobial therapy. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of MG was 7.4% (66/890; 95% CI 5.8% to 9.3%), being higher among men who have sex with men (MSM) (46/489) compared with heterosexual men and women (20/401; p=0.012). Macrolide resistance was found in 32/46 (69.6%; 95% CI 54.2% to 82.3%) MSM, while only 2/20 (10.0%; 95% CI 1.2% to 31.7%) infections among heterosexuals presented macrolide resistance-mediated mutations (p<0.001). MSM behaviour, receptive anal intercourse, HIV positive status, syphilis history and high-risk sexual activity (more than five sexual partners in the last 3 months) were significantly associated with MG infection. Furthermore, the resistance-guided therapy approach was implemented in 36/66 (54.6%) individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The research provides further data regarding the prevalence of MG and macrolide resistance among asymptomatic individuals. It also identifies higher risk subpopulations which might be targets for MG screening. Nevertheless, there is insufficient data to justify MG testing among asymptomatic individuals and current STI guidelines should be followed until evidence shows the cost and effectiveness of screening.

Diferencias clínicas y quirúrgicas entre pacientes con tuberculosis abdominal con y sin infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana / Clinical and surgical differences in patients with abdominal tuberculosis infected and non infected by human immunodeficiency virus patient

La tuberculosis abdominal (TBa) ocurre en el 1 al 2,5 % del total de la tuberculosis diagnosticadas. Objetivos: Analizar las diferencias entre las características clínicas y quirúrgicas de la TBa en pacientes VIH positivos y VIH negativos. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo-analítico retrospectivo entre dos poblaciones asistidas entre los años 1989-2009 con diagnóstico de TBa. Once pacientes eran VIH positivos y 60 VIH negativos. Se analizaron variables clínicas, humorales, hallazgos quirúrgicos, procedimientos diagnósticos utilizados y los diferentes órganos abdominales afectados. En el análisis estadístico se utilizó la prueba del Chi cuadrado o el test de Fischer. También se calcularon el ODDS Ratio (OR) e intervalo de confianza al 95 %. Resultados: se diagosticaron 71 casos de TBa de los cuales 11 (15,5 %) fueron VIH positivos. de los 71 casos la edad media fue de 38 años, los síntomas más frecuentes observados fueron pérdida de peso 90,1 %, dolor abdominal 81,4 %, hipertermia 91,6 %, entre otros. el 8,5 % de los pacientes fallecieron. Al comparar ambas poblaciones, se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la población VIH positiva quienes fueron más jóvenes, más frecuentemente de género masculino, con menor tiempo de duración de los síntomas, presentando en menor frecuencia hipertermia y disminución de peso y más frecuentemente masa abdominal palpable y adenopatías en la cavidad abdominal. La mortalidad fue también mayor en este grupo. Conclusiones: La población presentó variables estadísticamente significativas para la edad, el género, tiempo de evolución de los síntomas, entre otras variaables que pueden ser de utilidad en su diagnóstico diferencial.

Abdominal tuberculosis (TBA) occurs in 1 to 2,5 % of total tuberculosis diagnosed. Objective: To analyze the differences between clinical and surgical characteristics of the TBA in HIV patients and HIV non-reactive reagents. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive-analyticstudy of two groups assisted in the years 1989-2009 with a diagnosis of TBA. Eleven patients were HIV positive and 60 HIV-negative. We analyzed the clinical, laboratory findings and surgical findings, the diagnostic procedures used and the abdominal organs affected. Statistical analysis used Chi square test or Fischer test. Also calculated the Odds Ratio (OR) and confidence interval 95 %. Results: We diagnosed 71 cases of TBA of which 11 (15,5%) were HIV positive. Of the 71 cases the average age was 38 years, the most common symptoms observed were weight loss (90,1 %), abdominal pain (81,4 %), hyperthermia (91,6 %). 8,5 % of the patients died. HIV positive and negative were compared finding statistically significant differences in the HIV who were younger, more often male, with shorter duration of symptoms. In this population weight reduction and hyperthermia was less frequently in contrast with frequently palpable abdominal mass and lymphadenopathy in the abdominal cavity. Mortality was higher in among HIV positive patients. Conclusions: the present population statistically significnt variables for age, gender and time in the presence of sympotoms, among other variable that may be useful in the differential diagnosis.

Diferencias clínicas y quirúrgicas entre pacientes con tuberculosis abdominal con y sin infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana / Clinical and surgical differences in patients with abdominal tuberculosis infected and non infected by human immunodeficiency virus patient

La tuberculosis abdominal (TBa) ocurre en el 1 al 2,5 % del total de la tuberculosis diagnosticadas. Objetivos: Analizar las diferencias entre las características clínicas y quirúrgicas de la TBa en pacientes VIH positivos y VIH negativos. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo-analítico retrospectivo entre dos poblaciones asistidas entre los años 1989-2009 con diagnóstico de TBa. Once pacientes eran VIH positivos y 60 VIH negativos. Se analizaron variables clínicas, humorales, hallazgos quirúrgicos, procedimientos diagnósticos utilizados y los diferentes órganos abdominales afectados. En el análisis estadístico se utilizó la prueba del Chi cuadrado o el test de Fischer. También se calcularon el ODDS Ratio (OR) e intervalo de confianza al 95 %. Resultados: se diagosticaron 71 casos de TBa de los cuales 11 (15,5 %) fueron VIH positivos. de los 71 casos la edad media fue de 38 años, los síntomas más frecuentes observados fueron pérdida de peso 90,1 %, dolor abdominal 81,4 %, hipertermia 91,6 %, entre otros. el 8,5 % de los pacientes fallecieron. Al comparar ambas poblaciones, se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la población VIH positiva quienes fueron más jóvenes, más frecuentemente de género masculino, con menor tiempo de duración de los síntomas, presentando en menor frecuencia hipertermia y disminución de peso y más frecuentemente masa abdominal palpable y adenopatías en la cavidad abdominal. La mortalidad fue también mayor en este grupo. Conclusiones: La población presentó variables estadísticamente significativas para la edad, el género, tiempo de evolución de los síntomas, entre otras variaables que pueden ser de utilidad en su diagnóstico diferencial.(AU)

Abdominal tuberculosis (TBA) occurs in 1 to 2,5 % of total tuberculosis diagnosed. Objective: To analyze the differences between clinical and surgical characteristics of the TBA in HIV patients and HIV non-reactive reagents. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive-analyticstudy of two groups assisted in the years 1989-2009 with a diagnosis of TBA. Eleven patients were HIV positive and 60 HIV-negative. We analyzed the clinical, laboratory findings and surgical findings, the diagnostic procedures used and the abdominal organs affected. Statistical analysis used Chi square test or Fischer test. Also calculated the Odds Ratio (OR) and confidence interval 95 %. Results: We diagnosed 71 cases of TBA of which 11 (15,5%) were HIV positive. Of the 71 cases the average age was 38 years, the most common symptoms observed were weight loss (90,1 %), abdominal pain (81,4 %), hyperthermia (91,6 %). 8,5 % of the patients died. HIV positive and negative were compared finding statistically significant differences in the HIV who were younger, more often male, with shorter duration of symptoms. In this population weight reduction and hyperthermia was less frequently in contrast with frequently palpable abdominal mass and lymphadenopathy in the abdominal cavity. Mortality was higher in among HIV positive patients. Conclusions: the present population statistically significnt variables for age, gender and time in the presence of sympotoms, among other variable that may be useful in the differential diagnosis.(AU)