Differences in curable STDs between HIV and non-HIV populations in Spain.

Abstract

The pandemic impact of HIV has changed the clinical spectrum of STDs all over the world. The incidence and frequency of STDs in the different global geographic areas demonstrate the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of various local and national health systems and is simultaneously informing about the sexual behaviours of the population. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of curable STDs (herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, trichomoniasis) in a hospital-based STD clinic in Madrid, Spain during a 4-year period. Patients were referred mainly from the emergency department, gynecological wards, and family planning (61%) as well as from the HIV-hospital unit (31 beds) and outpatient department (39%). The total number of patients seen was 952 (243 men, 709 women) with an annual average of 238 patients per year. Of these, 139 (14.6%) were HIV-patients and 813 (85.4%) non-HIV patients. In non-HIV patients, STDs were identified in 493 cases (54.2%). In HIV-patients, STDs were diagnosed in 108 cases (77.7%; p < or = 0.001). Two or more STDs were more prevalent in HIV than non-HIV patients. The frequency of STDs in both HIV and non-HIV patients were vulvovaginal candidiasis, 47.8%:57.2%; syphilis, 11.7%:1.4% (p < or = 0.05); gonorrhea, 5.3%:3.9%; Gardnerella vaginosis, 6.3%:4.8%; genital chlamydia, 6.3%:9.06%; trichomoniasis, 17%:6.5% (p < or = 0.05); and genital herpes, 20.2%:5.3% (p < or = 0.05).