Sexualized drug use among men who have sex with men in Madrid and Barcelona: The gateway to new drug use?

This original study compares the prevalences of drug use for any purpose and for sexualized drug use (SDU) among MSM. It also describes relevant characteristics of first SDU, analyzes to what extent SDU has been the first experience (the gateway) with different drugs by age and explores the correlates of SDU. Study participants included 2,919 HIV-negative MSM attending four HIV/STI diagnosis services in Madrid and Barcelona. They answered an online, self-administered questionnaire. Poisson regression models with robust variance were used. About 81.4% had ever used any drug, and 71.9% had done so in the last-12-months, while 56% had ever engaged in SDU, and 50% had done so in the last-12-months. Participants under 25 years old had the lowest prevalences of SDU, and the 25-39 age group the highest, except for Viagra, which was higher among those over age 40. The most frequently used drugs for first SDU were poppers (53.6%), cannabis (19.6%) and Viagra (12.2%). These drugs were also the most ever consumed for SDU. Among sexualized users, methamphetamine (78.3%) and Mephedrone (75.4%) were used always/most of the times for sex in the last-12-months. Around 72.2% of Mephedrone sexualized users and 69.6% of Methamphetamine vs 23.1% of ecstasy users' first consumption of these drugs involved use for sex. These drugs were provided to them free where they have sex for 66.8, 79.1, and 31.9%, respectively. On that occasion, 8.1% of Mephedrone, 6.8% of Methamphetamine and 18.4% of ecstasy users had sex only with steady partner; with 50.2, 56.2, and 26.2% respectively using a condom with any partner. SDU in the first use was associated with similar variables for recreational and chemsex drugs. The highest prevalence ratios were for having ever been penetrated by >20 men and having ever injected drugs. It can be concluded that the prevalence of SDU was more than half of the prevalence for any purpose. Thus SDU was the gateway to use for many drugs in an important proportion of users, who frequently consumed drugs that were free and had condomless anal sex with occasional and multiple partners. These circumstances were much more common for chemsex than for recreational drugs.

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)

Clinical presentation and virological assessment of confirmed human monkeypox virus cases in Spain: a prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In May, 2022, several European countries reported autochthonous cases of monkeypox, which rapidly spread globally. Early reports suggest atypical presentations. We aimed to investigate clinical and virological characteristics of cases of human monkeypox in Spain. METHODS: This multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study was done in three sexual health clinics in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain. We enrolled all consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed monkeypox from May 11 to June 29, 2022. Participants were offered lesion, anal, and oropharynx swabs for PCR testing. Participant data were collected by means of interviews conducted by dermatologists or specialists in sexually transmitted infections and were recorded using a standard case report form. Outcomes assessed in all participants with a confirmed diagnosis were demographics, smallpox vaccination, HIV status, exposure to someone with monkeypox, travel, mass gathering attendance, risk factors for sexually transmitted infections, sexual behaviour, signs and symptoms on first presentation, virological results at multiple body sites, co-infection with other sexually transmitted pathogens, and clinical outcomes 14 days after the initial presentation. Clinical outcomes were followed up until July 13, 2022. FINDINGS: 181 patients had a confirmed monkeypox diagnosis and were enrolled in the study. 166 (92%) identified as gay men, bisexual men, or other men who have sex with men (MSM) and 15 (8%) identified as heterosexual men or heterosexual women. Median age was 37·0 years (IQR 31·0-42·0). 32 (18%) patients reported previous smallpox vaccination, 72 (40%) were HIV-positive, eight (11%) had a CD4 cell count less than 500 cells per µL, and 31 (17%) were diagnosed with a concurrent sexually transmitted infection. Median incubation was 7·0 days (IQR 5·0-10·0). All participants presented with skin lesions; 141 (78%) participants had lesions in the anogenital region, and 78 (43%) in the oral and perioral region. 70 (39%) participants had complications requiring treatment: 45 (25%) had a proctitis, 19 (10%) had tonsillitis, 15 (8%) had penile oedema, six (3%) an abscess, and eight (4%) had an exanthem. Three (2%) patients required hospital admission. 178 (99%) of 180 swabs from skin lesions collected tested positive, as did 82 (70%) of 117 throat swabs. Viral load was higher in lesion swabs than in pharyngeal specimens (mean cycle threshold value 23 [SD 4] vs 32 [6], absolute difference 9 [95% CI 8-10]; p<0·0001). 108 (65%) of 166 MSM reported anal-receptive sex. MSM who engaged in anal-receptive sex presented with proctitis (41 [38%] of 108 vs four [7%] of 58, absolute difference 31% [95% CI 19-44]; p<0·0001) and systemic symptoms before the rash (67 [62%] vs 16 [28%], absolute difference 34% [28-62]; p<0·0001) more frequently than MSM who did not engage in anal-receptive sex. 18 (95%) of 19 participants with tonsillitis reported practising oral-receptive sex. The median time from onset of lesions to formation of a dry crust was 10 days (IQR 7-13). INTERPRETATION: In our cohort, monkeypox caused genital, perianal, and oral lesions and complications including proctitis and tonsillitis. Because of the variability of presentations, clinicians should have a low threshold for suspicion of monkeypox. Lesion swabs showed the highest viral loads, which, combined with the history of sexual exposure and the distribution of lesions, suggests close contact is probably the dominant transmission route in the current outbreak. FUNDING: None.

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.

Prevención y tratamiento de las infecciones de transmisión sexual en personas con alto riesgo, incluyendo pacientes infectados por el VIH / Prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections in high-risk individuals, including patients with HIV infection

Las infecciones de transmisión sexual son un problema global de salud pública tanto por su alta prevalencia como por su morbilidad. Un diagnóstico rápido y preciso es clave para la instauración de un tratamiento dirigido adecuado para la disminución de la diseminación de estas patologías entre población de elevado riesgo. Para efectuar un adecuado despistaje de las infecciones de transmisión sexual, con frecuencia asintomáticas, es necesario realizar las pruebas diagnósticas en función de los indicadores clínicos y conductuales. El consejo preventivo debe ser integral e individualizado. La incorporación y mejora de las técnicas de biología molecular son una herramienta muy útil complementando las técnicas clásicas, como microscopía y cultivo. El correcto diagnóstico permitirá un tratamiento adecuado desde un inicio evitando la posible aparición y diseminación de resistencias antibióticas, problema emergente en el contexto actual de las infecciones de transmisión sexual

Sexually transmitted infections are a global public health problem both due to their high prevalence and due to their morbidity. A rapid and precise diagnosis is key to establishing appropriate targeted treatment and also to decreasing dissemination of these diseases among the high-risk population. To perform adequate testing for sexually transmitted infections, many of which are asymptomatic, it is necessary to carry out the diagnostic testing according to the clinical and behavioural indicators. The preventive advice must be comprehensive and personalised. The incorporation and improvement of molecular biology techniques is a very useful tool, complementing the classic techniques, such as microscopy and culture. Correct diagnosis will allow for an adequate treatment from the beginning, preventing the possible onset and dissemination of antibiotic resistance, an emerging problem in the current context of sexually transmitted infections

Prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections in high-risk individuals, including patients with HIV infection. / Prevención y tratamiento de las infecciones de transmisión sexual en personas con alto riesgo, incluyendo pacientes infectados por el VIH.

Sexually transmitted infections are a global public health problem both due to their high prevalence and due to their morbidity. A rapid and precise diagnosis is key to establishing appropriate targeted treatment and also to decreasing dissemination of these diseases among the high-risk population. To perform adequate testing for sexually transmitted infections, many of which are asymptomatic, it is necessary to carry out the diagnostic testing according to the clinical and behavioural indicators. The preventive advice must be comprehensive and personalised. The incorporation and improvement of molecular biology techniques is a very useful tool, complementing the classic techniques, such as microscopy and culture. Correct diagnosis will allow for an adequate treatment from the beginning, preventing the possible onset and dissemination of antibiotic resistance, an emerging problem in the current context of sexually transmitted infections.

Usefulness of Sofia Pneumococcal FIA® test in comparison with BinaxNOW® Pneumococcal test in urine samples for the diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia.

The Sofia Pneumococcal FIA® test is a recently introduced immunofluorescent assay automatically read aimed to detect Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen in urine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of SofiaFIA® urinary antigen test (UAT) in comparison with classical immunochromatographic BinaxNOW® test for the diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia (PP). Observational study was conducted in the Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron from December 2015 to August 2016. Consecutive adult patients diagnosed of pneumonia and admitted to the emergency department in whom UAT was requested were prospectively enrolled. Paired pneumococcal UAT was performed (BinaxNOW® and SofiaFIA®) in urine samples. To assess the performance of both tests, patients were categorized into proven PP (isolation of S. pneumoniae in sterile fluid) or probable PP (isolation of S. pneumoniae in respiratory secretion). Sensitivity, specificity, and concordance were calculated. A total of 219 patients with pneumonia were enrolled, of whom 14% had a proven or probable PP, 22% a non-pneumococcal etiology, and 64% an unidentified pathogen. Concordance between tests was good (κ = 0.81). Sensitivity of SofiaFIA® and BinaxNOW® UAT was 78.6 and 50% for proven PP (p = 0.124), and 74.2 and 58% for proven/probable PP (p = 0.063). Specificity for both tests was 83.3 and 85.5% for proven and proven/probable PP. In patients without an identified pathogen, SofiaFIA® test was positive in 33 (23.6%) cases and BinaxNOW® in 25 (17.8%), so Sofia Pneumococcal FIA® detected 32.6% more cases than BinaxNOW® (p = 0.001). Sofia Pneumococcal FIA® test showed an improved sensitivity over visual reading of BinaxNOW® test without a noticeable loss of specificity.