ABSTRACT
Objective To describe changes in sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. Material and methods We collected demographic, chronological, and clinical data for all patients seen for a possible STI at Hospital La Paz, Centro Sanitario Sandaval, and Centro de Diagnóstico Médico in Madrid and Hospital Costa del Sol in Malaga between March 14, 2020 and June 30, 2020. Results We identified 674 STI diagnoses. The median age of the patients was 33 years. Most cases were observed among people aged 30 to 40 years and among men who have sex with men. The most common diagnoses were proctitis (36.5%), syphilis (16%), nongonococcal (13.3%) and gonococcal (11.3%) urethritis, genital herpes (8.8%), vulvovaginitis/cervicitis (8.3%), and genital warts (4.2%). A microbiologically confirmed diagnosis was on record for 77% of cases. The main microorganisms identified were Chlamydia trachomatis (35.7%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (31.4%), and Treponema pallidum (17.2%). The number of STI diagnoses increased after the easing of lockdown restrictions, which resulted in greater freedom of movement and more consultations. On comparing the 2019 and 2020 STI registries from Centro Sanitario Sandoval and Hospital La Paz for the period March to June, we observed reductions (of up to 81%) in all STI diagnoses. Conclusions Physical distancing and movement restrictions appear to have resulted in a reduction in the incidence of STIs, although these measures did not completely eliminate sexual risk behaviors.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We collected demographic, chronological, and clinical data for all patients seen for a possible STI at Hospital La Paz, Centro Sanitario Sandaval, and Centro de Diagnóstico Médico in Madrid and Hospital Costa del Sol in Malaga between March 14, 2020 and June 30, 2020. RESULTS: We identified 674 STI diagnoses. The median age of the patients was 33 years. Most cases were observed among people aged 30 to 40 years and among men who have sex with men. The most common diagnoses were proctitis (36.5%), syphilis (16%), nongonococcal (13.3%) and gonococcal (11.3%) urethritis, genital herpes (8.8%), vulvovaginitis/cervicitis (8.3%), and genital warts (4.2%). A microbiologically confirmed diagnosis was on record for 77% of cases. The main microorganisms identified wereChlamydia trachomatis (35.7%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (31.4%), and Treponema pallidum (17.2%). The number of STI diagnoses increased after the easing of lockdown restrictions, which resulted in greater freedom of movement and more consultations. On comparing the 2019 and 2020 STI registries from Centro Sanitario Sandoval and Hospital La Paz for the period March to June, we observed reductions (of up to 81%) in all STI diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Physical distancing and movement restrictions appear to have resulted in a reduction in the incidence of STIs, although these measures did not completely eliminate sexual risk behaviors.
OBJETIVO: Describir los cambios en el comportamiento de las ITS durante la situación de alerta sanitaria por la pandemia SARS-CoV-2. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se recogieron datos demográficos, cronológicos y clínicos de todos los pacientes que solicitaron atención médica por ITS en los hospitales La Paz y Costa del Sol, y los Centros Sandoval y de Diagnóstico Médico entre el 14/03/2020 y el 30/06/2020. RESULTADOS: Documentamos 674 casos de ITS. La mediana de edad fue de 33 años. El mayor porcentaje de casos se dio en el rango de 30-40 años y en hombres que tenían sexo con hombres. Los diagnósticos más frecuentes fueron: proctitis (36,5%), sífilis (16%), uretritis no gonocócica (13,3%) y gonocócica (11,3%), herpes genital (8,8%), vulvovaginitis/cervicitis (8,3%) y condilomas (4,2%).En 77% de los casos hubo confirmación microbiológica, siendo los microorganismos más frecuentes Chlamydia trachomatis (35,7%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (31,4%) y Treponema pallidum (17,2%).Se constató un incremento del número de casos de ITS tras el desconfinamiento, explicable por las mayores libertades y el aumento de consultas. Comparando los registros de ITS del Centro Sandoval y el Hospital La Paz en los cuatrimestres de marzo a junio de 2019 frente a 2020, se observó una disminución en 2020 de todos los diagnósticos, de hasta un 81% menos que en 2019. CONCLUSIONES: Las medidas de distanciamiento y limitación de movilidad aparentemente generaron una disminución de la incidencia de ITS, pero sin llegar a una inhibición completa de las conductas sexuales de riesgo.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We collected demographic, chronological, and clinical data for all patients seen for a possible STI at Hospital La Paz, Centro Sanitario Sandoval, and Centro de Diagnóstico Médico in Madrid and Hospital Costa del Sol in Malaga between March 14, 2020 and June 30, 2020. RESULTS: We identified 674 STI diagnoses. The median age of the patients was 33 years. Most cases were observed among people aged 30 to 40 years and among men who have sex with men. The most common diagnoses were proctitis (36.5%), syphilis (16%), nongonococcal (13.3%) and gonococcal (11.3%) urethritis, genital herpes (8.8%), vulvovaginitis/cervicitis (8.3%), and genital warts (4.2%). A microbiologically confirmed diagnosis was on record for 77% of cases. The main microorganisms identified were Chlamydia trachomatis (35.7%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (31.4%) and Treponema pallidum (17.2%). The number of STI diagnoses increased after the easing of lockdown restrictions, which resulted in greater freedom of movement and more consultations. On comparing the 2019 and 2020 STI registries from Centro Sanitario Sandoval and Hospital La Paz for the period March to June, we observed reductions (of up to 81%) in all STI diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Physical distancing and movement restrictions appear to have resulted in a reduction in the incidence of STIs, although these measures did not completely eliminate sexual risk behaviors.