Psychosocial Functioning in Transgender Youth after 2 Years of Hormones.

BACKGROUND: Limited prospective outcome data exist regarding transgender and nonbinary youth receiving gender-affirming hormones (GAH; testosterone or estradiol). METHODS: We characterized the longitudinal course of psychosocial functioning during the 2 years after GAH initiation in a prospective cohort of transgender and nonbinary youth in the United States. Participants were enrolled in a four-site prospective, observational study of physical and psychosocial outcomes. Participants completed the Transgender Congruence Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (Second Edition), and the Positive Affect and Life Satisfaction measures from the NIH (National Institutes of Health) Toolbox Emotion Battery at baseline and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after GAH initiation. We used latent growth curve modeling to examine individual trajectories of appearance congruence, depression, anxiety, positive affect, and life satisfaction over a period of 2 years. We also examined how initial levels of and rates of change in appearance congruence correlated with those of each psychosocial outcome. RESULTS: A total of 315 transgender and nonbinary participants 12 to 20 years of age (mean [±SD], 16±1.9) were enrolled in the study. A total of 190 participants (60.3%) were transmasculine (i.e., persons designated female at birth who identify along the masculine spectrum), 185 (58.7%) were non-Latinx or non-Latine White, and 25 (7.9%) had received previous pubertal suppression treatment. During the study period, appearance congruence, positive affect, and life satisfaction increased, and depression and anxiety symptoms decreased. Increases in appearance congruence were associated with concurrent increases in positive affect and life satisfaction and decreases in depression and anxiety symptoms. The most common adverse event was suicidal ideation (in 11 participants [3.5%]); death by suicide occurred in 2 participants. CONCLUSIONS: In this 2-year study involving transgender and nonbinary youth, GAH improved appearance congruence and psychosocial functioning. (Funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.).

Patient-Reported Preoperative Depression as a Predictor of Psychosocial Outcomes After Gender-Affirming Facial Feminization Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To understand psychosocial functioning before and after gender-affirming facial feminization surgery (FFS) as well as identify predictors of postoperative psychosocial functioning. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Few investigations have rigorously explored the impact of gender-affirming FFS on psychosocial functioning in transgender and gender non-binary (TGNB) individuals. This knowledge gap hinders the identification of methods to optimize mental health quality-of-life outcomes after FFS and carries repercussions for access to care. METHODS: Adult TGNB participants awaiting gender-affirming FFS were prospectively enrolled and administered Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments assessing anxiety, anger, depression, global mental and physical health, positive affect, emotional support, social isolation, companionship, and meaning and purpose before and 3-6 months after FFS. Paired t-tests compared pre- and postoperative scores. Multivariable linear models identified predictors of postoperative psychosocial outcomes. RESULTS: Among the domains, psychosocial scores improved for anxiety, depression, global mental health, social isolation, and positive affect after FFS. When accounting for potential variables contributing to postoperative psychosocial scores including other gender-affirming surgeries, hormone therapy duration, and private versus public insurance type, we found that preoperative depression scores independently predicted the variance in all other postoperative scores with global mental health (ß=-0.52, 95%CI -0.58--0.31 P<0.001), anxiety (ß=0.40, 95% CI 0.21-0.51, P<0.001), and meaning and purpose (ß=-0.52, 95% CI -0.78--0.42 P<0.001) as the strongest models. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that gender-affirming FFS improves psychosocial functioning; however, such improvements are highly influenced by the baseline psychological functioning of each individual. These findings indicate that preoperative psychological functioning may be a potential avenue for improving outcomes after FFS via perioperative psychological interventions.

Longitudinal Analysis of Overlapping Psychosocial Factors Predicting Incident Hospitalization Among Mixed HIV Serostatus Men who have Sex with Men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk for certain types of chronic diseases and mental health problems. Despite having extended survival in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, MSM living with HIV contend with aging-related diseases and complications with treatment. Consequent hospitalizations incur high costs, fear, low quality of life, and frailty. Unlike heterosexual men, MSM experience more structural violence and "syndemics" of psychosocial factors that not only accelerate HIV acquisition and transmission risk but also may increase morbidity, leading to greater rates of hospitalization. We aim to examine the impact of "syndemic" psychosocial factors on the incidence of hospitalization among geographically diverse MSM in the US. Participants were 1760 MSM from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) between 2004 and 2019. We examined the relationship between six psychosocial factors (depression, stimulant use, smoking, heroin use, childhood sexual abuse, and intimate partner violence) and incident hospitalization (admission to a hospital for treatment). We found a positive dose-response relationship between the number of syndemic factors and hospitalization. MSM reporting five or more syndemic factors had over twice the risk of hospitalization compared to MSM without syndemic factors [aRR = 2.14 (95% CI = 1.56, 2.94)]. Psychosocial factors synergistically increased hospitalizations over time. The positive dose-response relationship between the number of syndemic factors and hospitalization and the synergistic effects of these factors underscore the need for interventions that disentangle the syndemics to reduce hospitalization and related costs and improve the quality of life among MSM.

Changes in high-risk sexual behavior, HIV and other STI testing, and PrEP use during the COVID-19 pandemic in a longitudinal cohort of adolescent men who have sex with men 13 to 18 years old in the United States.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted sexual health services among those most vulnerable to HIV acquisition, such as adolescent men who have sex with men (AMSM). We sought to characterize the changes in sexual-risk behaviors, HIV and other STI testing, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among a longitudinal cohort of AMSM aged 13 to 18 years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We observed a significant decline in HIV testing and a marginal decrease in other STI testing since the pandemic began in March 2020. Outreach efforts and innovative remote delivery of sexual health services are needed to support access to healthcare services among AMSM as the pandemic persists.

RESUMEN: La pandemia de COVID-19 ha afectado la prestación de servicios de salud sexual para los más vulnerables, tales como los hombres adolescentes que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres (AMSM; por sus siglas en ingles). En una cohorte longitudinal de AMSM de 13 a 18 años, examinamos los cambios en comportamientos sexuales de alto riesgo, la prueba de VIH, las pruebas de otras enfermedades de transmisión sexual, y el uso de Profilaxis Preexposición (PrEP) para el VIH antes y durante la pandemia. Desde el inicio de la pandemia en marzo de 2020, observamos una disminución significativa en la frecuencia de pruebas de VIH y una disminución marginal en la frecuencia de pruebas de otras enfermedades de transmisión sexual. Mientras persista la pandemia, serán necesarios más esfuerzos de divulgación e innovaciones en la prestación remota de servicios de salud sexual para apoyar el acceso a dichos servicios por parte de AMSM.

A feasibility study of the use of HIV self-tests in young men who have sex with men.

Studies on HIV self-testing (HIV-ST) have been limited to adults (age 18+). The study assessed use of HIV-ST among a diverse group of young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the United States (US) and assessed differences in uptake by demographic characteristics and requirements for parental consent. This study demonstrated feasibility of HIV-ST for YMSM as young as 14 years of age, which suggests potential for increasing HIV testing in this young age group and promoting health equity.

Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and osteoclastogenesis-related factors in peri-implant diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are acknowledged, during inflammatory bone destruction, as key regulators of osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation and activity. However, evidence regarding the exact role of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and osteoclastogenesis-related factors in peri-implant diseases is unclear. We aimed to execute a systematic review and meta-analysis about the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and osteoclastogenesis-related factors levels in peri-implant diseases. METHODS: The focused question was elaborated to summarize the levels of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines and osteoclastogenesis-related factors in tissue samples (mRNA) and biofluids (protein levels) of patients with/without peri-implant diseases. Electronic searches of the PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus and Google scholar databases were conducted for publications up to March 2023. Meta-analysis evaluating the mediator´s levels (protein levels by ELISA) in peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) were made. The effect size was estimated and reported as the mean difference. The 95% confidence interval was estimated for each mediator, and the pooled effect was determined significant if two-sided p-values < 0.05 were obtained. RESULTS: Twenty-two publications were included in the systematic review (qualitative analysis), with nine of these subjected to meta-analyses (quantitative analysis). In the qualitative analysis, higher pro-inflammatory cytokines [Interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6] and pro-osteoclastogenic mediator [Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B ligand (RANKL)] levels were observed in PICF of individuals with peri-implant diseases in comparison to healthy individuals. Higher RANKL/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratios were observed in PICF from individuals with peri-implant diseases in comparison to healthy individuals. Meta-analysis showed higher RANKL levels in diseased groups compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, and RANKL/OPG are not balanced in peri-implant disease, suggesting that these mediators are involved in the host osteo-immunoinflammatory response related to peri-implantitis.

Health and service utilization among a sample of gender-diverse youth of color: the TRUTH study.

BACKGROUND: While there is growing research considering the experiences of transgender youth whose identities align with the gender binary, especially among young trans women, there are significantly fewer studies that accurately capture data about nonbinary youth, and even fewer studies capturing the experiences of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth of color. The purpose of this research was to assess the prevalence of sexual health behaviors, mental health challenges, substance use, and healthcare utilization among Black/African American, Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, indigenous and multi-racial/ethnic TGD youth, who have been largely underrepresented in research. METHODS: A total of 108 TGD youth ages 16-24 were recruited into the Trans Youth of Color Study (TRUTH). Each participant completed a 90-min survey administered by a research assistant with more sensitive information collected using ACASI. In addition to a completing a survey administered by research staff, participants also participated in specimen collection, which included urine sampling to assess recent substance use without a prescription, self-collected rectal/frontal and throat swabs to test for gonorrhea and chlamydia, and a blood draw to test for recent use of drugs, gonorrhea and chlamydia, and syphilis. The sample was recruited at public venues, community outreach and referral, through social media outreach, and via participant referral. Cross-sectional analyses were from a single study visit. RESULTS: Compared to rates among their cisgender peers, participants reported experiencing adverse social and structural determinants of health-e.g. food insecurity (61%), housing instability (30%), and limited access to healthcare (26% had no place to go for healthcare)-and elevated rates of illicit drug use (19-85%), mental health problems (e.g. 60% self-reported depression), and involvement in sexual risk-related behaviors (e.g. among those reporting penetrative sex 57-67% reported sex without a condom). CONCLUSIONS: This study adds descriptions of both mental and sexual health outcomes of a non-clinical sample of TGD youth to the literature, particularly among young transgender men and gender nonbinary youth, who have frequently been excluded from previous studies of sexual health. The findings document experiences and behaviors among TGD youth that contribute to mental and sexual health concerns, including rates of substance use, and healthcare utilization.

Photobiomodulation of gingival lesions resulting from autoimmune diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) in gingival lesions resulting from autoimmune diseases; to compare PBM and topical corticosteroid (CS) treatment; and to assess PBM outcome over time of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive electronic search was performed in four electronic databases. Treatment effects were measured through visual analog scale of pain (VAS) and clinical evolution of lesion (Thongprasom scale for oral lichen planus (OLP)). Meta-analysis was performed to compare PBM with topical corticosteroid treatment and to evaluate PBM effect over time of follow-up. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included in this review, of which six were used for the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis results showed no significant differences between PBM and topical CS in pain reduction at baseline (MD = 0.20, 95% CI = - 0.92, 1.32, p = 0.72) and 60-day follow-up (MD = 0.63, 95% CI = - 3.93, 5.19, p = 0.79); however, VAS showed significant pain reduction when compared before and after PBM at 30-day (MD = - 3.52, 95% CI = - 5.40, - 1.64, p = 0.0002) and 60-day (MD = - 5.04, 95% CI = - 5.86, - 4.22, p < 0.00001) follow-up. Thongprasom clinical scale for OLP also showed significant improvement at 30-day follow-up (MD = - 2.50, 95% CI = - 2.92, - 2.08, p < 0.00001) after PBM. CONCLUSION: PBM led to significant reduction of pain and clinical scores of the lesions, not having shown significant differences when compared to topical CS. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PBM has been used in the treatment of autoimmune gingival lesions, but so far there is little strong evidence to support its use.

Sleep Disorders and Their Associated Factors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Data from Peruvian Medical Students.

Background and objectives: Sleep disorders are a common public health problem among college students. The objective of this study was to evaluate sleep quality and its associated factors in medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study-we conducted a secondary analysis of the survey "Nomophobia in medical students in Peru" database between 2020 and 2021. Sleep disturbances were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). To evaluate associated factors, crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Results: We analyzed data from 3139 participants from 18 cities in Peru (61.1% were women, median age: 22 years). 43.4% had a quality of sleep that could require medical attention; the PSQI dimension with the highest score was daytime dysfunction. The poor sleep quality was associated with symptoms of anxiety (aPR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.27-1.72), depression (aPR: 2.03; 1.72-2.39), or nomophobia (aPR: 1.28; 1.09-1.51). Conclusions: Sleep disorders were a common problem among Peruvian medical students and were associated with anxiety, depression, or nomophobia symptoms.

Stronger Together: Results from a Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial of a Dyadic Intervention to Improve Engagement in HIV Care Among Serodiscordant Male Couples in Three US Cities.

Engagement in HIV care and a high level of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence for people living with HIV is crucial to treatment success and can minimize the population burden of the disease. Despite this, there is a critical gap in HIV prevention science around the development of interventions for serodiscordant male couples. This paper reports on the results of a randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of Stronger Together, a dyadic counseling intervention aimed at increasing engagement in and optimizing HIV care among serodiscordant male couples in Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, and Chicago, IL. Between 2014 and 2017, 159 male serodiscordant couples (total N = 318) in Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, and Chicago, IL were enrolled and equally randomized to either the Stronger Together intervention arm (a three-session dyadic intervention involving HIV testing and adherence counseling) or a standard of care (SOC) control arm. Couples completed individual study assessments via an audio computer assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) system at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months. Primary outcomes included being prescribed and currently taking ART, and fewer missed doses of ART in the past 30 days; because the trial was not powered to examine viral suppression, we examined this as an exploratory outcome. Longitudinal data analysis was by an intention-to-treat approach. Participants ages ranged from 18 to 69 (mean = 35.9), and are predominantly white (77.5%), and college educated (68.4% earned a college degree or higher). Participants randomized to the Stronger Together arm had a significantly greater odds of being prescribed and currently taking ART over time than those in the SOC arm (at 12 months OR 2.75, 95%CI 1.35-4.67, p-value 0.020, and at 18 months OR 2.91, 95%CI 1.61-4.88, p-value 0.013). Similarly, those in the Stronger Together arm had a significantly lower odds of missing a dose of ART in the past 30 days over time compared to those in the SOC arm (at 12 months OR 0.28, 95%CI 0.09-0.81, p-value 0.019, and at 18 months OR 0.25, 95%CI 0.07-0.82, p-value 0.023). Among male couples in serodiscordant relationships, the Stronger Together intervention resulted in significantly improved HIV treatment outcomes at both 12 and 18 months of follow-up. This trial is the first to date to demonstrate evidence of efficacy for a dyadic counseling intervention and has the potential to fill a critical gap in secondary HIV prevention interventions for serodiscordant male couples.

Polymorphisms and haplotypes in the Interleukin 17 Alfa gene: potential effect of smoking habits in the association with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Few studies evaluate interrelationships between periodontitis (P) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study is to investigate the genetic susceptibility to periodontitis alone, or concomitant with T2DM (as comorbidities), analyzing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Interleukin 17 alpha (IL17A) gene, considering the biochemical profile and smoking habits on the subjects' periodontal status. We investigated 879 individuals divided into: T2DM subjects also affected by severe or moderate periodontitis (T2DM-P, n = 199); non-diabetics with severe or moderate periodontitis (PERIODONTITIS, n = 342); and healthy subjects (HEALTHY, n = 338). Subjects underwent complete periodontal examination, history of smoking habits, glycemic and lipid biochemical evaluation. DNA from buccal cells was utilized to genotype the SNPs rs2275913, rs3819024 and rs10484879. The impact of the subjects' biochemical profile was analyzed in their periodontal status. Each SNP was analyzed independently, and as haplotypes, by multiple logistic regressions, adjusted for covariates, and also stratifying the groups by age, sex and smoking habits. Independently of the periodontitis degree, poorly-controlled T2DM subjects showed worse glycemic and lipid profile. Multiple logistic regressions demonstrated that smokers and former-smokers carrying the GG genotype of rs3819024 seemed to have higher risk for T2DM-Periodontitis (OR = 6.33; 95% CI = 1.26-31.77, p = 0.02), and mainly for T2DM alone (OR = 5.11; 95% CI = 1.37-19.06, p = 0.01), than never smokers. We found the potential effect of smoking habits in the association of IL17A-rs3819024-GG with diseased phenotypes. Because the observed wide confidence intervals, further studies enrolling larger populations, and SNPs' functional evaluations are needed to better understand our findings.

A Uniquely Targeted, Mobile App-Based HIV Prevention Intervention for Young Transgender Women: Adaptation and Usability Study.

BACKGROUND: Young transgender women (YTW) are a key population for HIV-related risk reduction, yet very few interventions have been developed to meet their needs. Mobile health interventions with the potential for both efficacy and wide reach are a promising strategy to reduce HIV risk among YTW. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to adapt an efficacious group-based intervention to a mobile app, Project LifeSkills, to reduce HIV risk among YTW, and to test its acceptability and usability. METHODS: The group-based intervention was adapted to a mobile app, LifeSkills Mobile, with input from an expert advisory group and feedback from YTW collected during user-centered design sessions. A beta version of the app was then tested in a usability evaluation using a think-aloud protocol with debriefing interviews, recordings of screen activity, and assessments of usability via the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) and the Health Information Technology Usability Evaluation Scale (Health-ITUES). RESULTS: YTW (n=8; age: mean 24 years, SD 3 years; racial or ethnic minority: 7/8, 88%) provided feedback on the app prototype in design sessions and then tested a beta version of the app in a usability trial (n=10; age: mean 24 years, SD 3 years; racial or ethnic minority: 8/10, 80%). Both usability ratings (Health-ITUES: mean 4.59, SD 0.86; scale range: 1-5) and ratings for satisfaction and accessibility (PSSUQ: mean 4.64, SD 0.90; scale range 1-5) were in the good to excellent range. No functional bugs were identified, and all mobile activities were deployed as expected. Participant feedback from the usability interviews indicated very good salience of the intervention content among the focal population. Participants' suggestions to further increase app engagement included adding animation, adding audio, and reducing the amount text. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the LifeSkills Mobile app is a highly usable and engaging mobile app for HIV prevention among YTW.

A Dyadic Perspective on Sexual Agreements Among Same-Sex Male Couples in the United States.

Sexual agreements are an important HIV risk reduction strategy enacted by men in male-male partnerships. Greater levels of relationship quality have been associated with sexual agreement formation and adherence. However, current evidence supporting the associations between relationship quality and sexual agreements for male dyads is based primarily on the responses of just one partner. Understanding that relationship quality and decisions about sexual agreements are inherently influenced by both partners, the present analysis uses dyadic-level data to examine the sexual agreements among 199 HIV serodiscordant and seroconcordant male dyads (n = 398 individuals). Specifically, the analysis examines measures of love, trust, and conflict style as they relate to (1) the type of agreement established, (2) concordance in agreement reporting, (3) satisfaction with the agreement, and (4) broken agreements. A discrepancy in love between partners was associated with the type of agreement established, whether they reported the same agreement type, and whether one of the partners reported a broken agreement, but it was not associated with either partner's satisfaction with the agreement. A discrepancy in trust was associated with agreement concordance and agreement breaks, but it was not associated with the type of agreement established or satisfaction with the agreement. Lastly, a discrepancy in conflict style was associated with each of the agreement outcomes. Future research and intervention efforts should focus on understanding the behavioral and communication skills necessary for couples to make successful sexual agreements.

Awareness, Willingness, and Perceived Efficacy of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis among Adolescent Sexual Minority Males.

Despite the approval of PrEP for adolescents by the FDA in 2018, little is known about the awareness and attitudes about PrEP use among adolescent sexual minority males, who are at the greatest risk for HIV. We analyzed baseline data from the MyPEEPS Mobile study, a multi-site randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a mobile behavioral HIV prevention intervention. A substantial proportion (68.2%) of study participants (ages 13-18) had previously heard about PrEP, and an overwhelming majority (90.8%) reported willingness to take PrEP, to prevent HIV. On the other hand, only about one third (34.6%) of participants indicated that taking a daily HIV pill would be "very" or "completely" effective in preventing HIV when having sex without a condom. These findings suggest that high awareness and willingness to use PrEP across various adolescent subgroups present opportunities for increased PrEP advocacy among this young age group.

A randomized controlled efficacy trial of an mHealth HIV prevention intervention for sexual minority young men: MyPEEPS mobile study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Young sexual minority men in the United States have a high incidence rate of HIV infection. Early intervention among this group, that is timed to precede or coincide with sexual initiation, is of critical importance to prevent HIV infection. Despite this, there are very few published randomized controlled efficacy trials testing interventions to reduce sexual vulnerability for HIV acquisition among racially/ethnically diverse, very young, sexual minority men (aged ≤18 years). This paper describes the design of a mobile app-based intervention trial to reduce sexual risk for HIV acquisition and promote health protection in this group. METHODS: This study is a randomized controlled trial of an mHealth-based HIV prevention intervention, MyPEEPS Mobile, among diverse sexual minority cisgender young men, aged 13-18 years. The mobile intervention was adapted from a prior group-based intervention curriculum with evidence of efficacy, designed to be specific to the risk contexts and realities of young sexual minority men, and to include psychoeducational and skill-building components with interactive games and activities. Participants are recruited locally within four regional hubs (Birmingham, AL, Chicago, IL, New York City, NY, Seattle, WA) and nationwide via the Internet, enrolled in-person or remotely (via videoconference), and randomized (1:1) to either the MyPEEPS Mobile intervention or delayed intervention condition. Post-hoc stratification by age, race/ethnicity, and urban/suburban vs. rural statuses is used to ensure diversity in the sample. The primary outcomes are number of male anal sex partners and frequency of sexual acts with male partners (with and without condoms), sex under the influence of substances, and uptake of pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis, as well as testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections at 3-, 6- and 9-month follow-up. DISCUSSION: Behavioral interventions for very young sexual minority men are needed to prevent sexual risk early in their sexual development and maturation. This study will provide evidence to determine feasibility and efficacy of a mobile app-based HIV prevention intervention to reduce sexual risk among this very young group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03167606, registered May 30, 2017.

Do Male Couples Agree on Their Sexual Agreements? An Analysis of Dyadic Data.

Male couples often formulate sexual agreements, but little is known about the extent to which partners concur about their exact terms. Disagreements, particularly with respect to sex outside the relationship, may induce stress and potentially increase the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Our study sought to describe concordance between male partners on several aspects of their sexual agreements, overall, as well as stratified by dyadic HIV serostatus and relationship duration. Between July 2014 and May 2016, we collected bidirectional data from 160 male couples residing in Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago. Overall, we observed weak concordance for whether or not couples had a mutual agreement about sex with outside partners. Even among 110 couples in which both partners reported having an agreement, there was weak-to-moderate concordance for general rules that might apply to having sex outside the relationship (e.g., forming emotional relationships is not allowed, outside sexual activities must be disclosed), and for specific sexual behaviors allowed or disallowed (e.g., topping without a condom, bottoming without a condom). Concordance for the type of sexual agreement was higher within HIV seroconcordant negative partnerships compared to HIV serodiscordant partnerships, and lower within relationships ≥ 5 years and 1 to < 5 years compared to those < 1 year. Dyadic interventions for male couples (e.g., couples HIV testing and counseling, relationship education programs) can offer unique opportunities for skills building around negotiating sexual agreements and might especially benefit HIV serodiscordant partnerships, and those in the formative stages of their relationships.

Relationship Dynamics in the Context of Binge Drinking and Polydrug Use Among Same-Sex Male Couples in Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago.

An estimated one- to two-thirds of incident HIV infections among U.S. men who have sex with men (MSM) occur within the context of a primary relationship. The existing, yet limited, literature on sexual risk behavior among same-sex couples suggests that MSM with main partners are more often to report having lower perceived HIV risk, higher unrecognized HIV infection, and increased frequency of condomless anal intercourse with their primary partner. Furthermore, numerous studies document the strong relationship between polydrug use and binge drinking with HIV infection among MSM. However, more research is needed that identifies how individual- and relationship-level factors are related to polydrug use and binge drinking in the context of same-sex male relationships. We used baseline data collected as part of a prospective randomized controlled trial of 160 same-sex male couples (total N = 320 individuals). In 2015, recruitment commenced in three U.S. cities: Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, and Chicago, IL. Participants completed a self-report assessment using an audio-computer-assisted self-interview system during their baseline enrollment visit. We collected information on participants' sociodemographic characteristics, drug and alcohol use, individual- and relationship-level variables of interest, as well as relationship quality. Multinomial logistic regression models were fit for three different categories of polydrug use and of binge drinking for which (1) both partners exhibited the behavior, (2) only the respondent exhibited the behavior, or (3) only the partner exhibited the behavior. Participants' age ranged from 18 to 69 (M = 35.9). The sample majority (77.5%) was White (248/320), with 12.2% Black (39/320) and 10.3% Multiracial (33/320); 68.4% had completed a college degree; and 9.6% were unemployed. A high proportion (62.2%) reported any drug use, including marijuana; 45% reported using drugs other than marijuana; and 18.1% reported polydrug use. Overall, 22.2% reported current binge drinking. Age discordance and being in a long-term relationship (6 or more years) were associated with a decreased odds of polydrug use among couples; being in an interracial dyad, recent history of arrest, living with HIV, and self-reported clinically significant depressive symptoms were associated with an increased odds of polydrug use. Additionally, being the older partner and reporting higher levels of internalized homophobia decreased odds for binge drinking, while recent history of arrest, living with HIV, and feeling more loved in their relationship were associated with an increased odds of binge drinking. Findings have implications for developing interventions to reduce substance use and promote health among same-sex male couples. Future research would benefit by using longitudinal study designs to understand the individual-, relationship-, and structural-level factors that potentiate polydrug use and binge drinking among same-sex male couples.

The MyPEEPS randomized controlled trial: a pilot of preliminary efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of a group-level, HIV risk reduction intervention for young men who have sex with men.

An exigent need exists for HIV prevention intervention research targeting young men who have sex with men (MSM)-a group of young adults that, despite composing the highest and most racially disproportionate rates of HIV incidence, have been least often the focus of behavioral intervention research. This pilot study tested a group-based HIV primary prevention intervention for young MSM to evaluate its initial efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability. Participants were randomized (N = 101; aged 16-20 years) to one of two group-level, HIV and STI education programs: controls participated in a non-interactive, lecture-based program, while intervention participants took part in a highly interactive program tailored to young MSM aged 16-20. Sexual risk and social cognitive outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6-, and 12-weeks post-intervention. Over the entire follow-up period, intervention participants were less likely than controls to engage in any sexual behavior while under the influence of substances (p < .05), and a decreasing trend in unprotected anal sex while under the influence of substances was also observed in this group (p = .08). Follow-up differences between groups on social cognitive outcomes favored the intervention group, though these differences were non-significant. Acceptability ratings were modest. A 6-session behavioral intervention tailored to young MSM, aged 16-20, is feasible, acceptable, and demonstrates evidence of preliminary efficacy in reducing sexual risk, specifically sexual risk while under the influence of substances.

Acute HIV Diagnosis After Initiation of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in a Young Adult Patient: A Case Report.

Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is highly effective, yet the majority of sexually active adolescents and young adults (AYAs) at highest risk for HIV infection, particularly AYA males who have sex with males, have not been prescribed this medication. Provider hesitancy in prescribing PrEP to at-risk AYA patients is often associated with concerns about patient nonadherence and its effect on inducing HIV medication resistance. This case report has two aims. First, to outline the clinical course for an AYA patient prescribed PrEP for 3 months and then found to have HIV with an M184V resistance mutation and subsequently started on HIV treatment. And second, to illustrate how the benefits of PrEP initiation outweigh its risks by presenting clinical data on resistance patterns to PrEP medications. The patient eventually achieved viral suppression within 5 months of starting HIV treatment which has been sustained up to 2 years. This case illustrates that M184V resistance mutations, although rarely associated with PrEP, are unlikely to impact options for HIV treatment. Providers should recommend and prescribe oral PrEP to AYA patients at risk for HIV infection without concern for nonadherence leading to HIV medication resistance.

Childhood Gender Diversity and Mental Health: Protocol for the Longitudinal, Observational Gender Journey Project.

BACKGROUND: Prepubertal transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse (TGD) children (ie, those asserting gender identity, expressing gender-role behavior outside of culturally defined norms for their sex registered at birth, or both) are presenting in greater numbers to pediatric gender clinics across the United States and abroad. A large subset of TGD children experiences gender dysphoria, that is, distress that arises from the incongruence between gender identity and sex registered at birth. A lack of consensus exists regarding care for prepubertal TGD children due, in part, to a dearth of empirical research on longitudinal developmental trajectories of gender identity, role behavior, and gender dysphoria (when present). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this National Institutes of Health-funded study is to provide evidence to inform clinical care for prepubertal TGD children by establishing a US longitudinal cohort (N=248) of prepubertal TGD children and their caregivers that is followed prospectively at 6-month intervals across 18 months. METHODS: At each timepoint, clinical and behavioral data are collected via web-based visit from child and caregiver reporters. Latent class analysis, among other methods, is used to identify subgroups and longitudinally characterize the gender identity and gender-role behavior of TGD children. These models will define longitudinal patterns of gender identity stability and characterize the relationship between TGD classes and mental and behavioral health outcomes, including the moderating role of social gender transition (when present), on these associations. RESULTS: Baseline data collection (N=248) is complete, and the identification of TGD subgroups based on gender identity and expression using latent class analysis is anticipated in 2024. The completion of all 4 waves of data collection is anticipated in July 2024, coinciding with the start of a no-cost study extension period. We anticipate longitudinal analyses to be completed by winter 2024. CONCLUSIONS: Through a longitudinal observational design, this research involving prepubertal TGD children and their caregivers aims to provide empirical knowledge on gender development in a US sample of TGD children, their mental health symptomology and functioning over time, and how family initiated social gender transition may predict or alleviate mental health symptoms or diagnoses. The research findings have promise for clinicians and families aiming to ensure the best developmental outcome for these children as they develop into adolescents. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/55558.