CHARACTERIZING PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SEXUALLY ACQUIRED INFECTIONS - A MULTIVARIATE-ANALYSIS

It has long been recognized that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may occur concurrently hence necessitating screening in individuals at tending Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics. However there are few d ata on individuals with more than one concurrent STD. Individuals atte nding the GUM Department in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh between 1 990 and 1994 with the diagnosis of HIV infection, genital warts, genit al herpes, non-specific genital infection (NSGI), gonorrhoea and syphi lis were included in the study. A multivariate comparison was made bet ween those presenting with multiple concurrent STDs and a control grou p comprising individuals with a solitary STD with respect to year of a ttendance, social class, location of acquisition of infection, sex, se xual orientation and age using a logistic regression model. A total of 680 of 9265 patients in the study period had more than one concurrent STD. Individuals in lower socio-economic class were at higher risk an d older individuals at lower risk of multiple concurrent STDs. Multipl e sexually acquired infections are common in individuals who attend GU M clinics. Age and socio-economic class were the only significant vari ables. Identification of populations at highest risk for multiple infe ction can direct interventions against all STDs.