Descriptive study on substance uses and risk of sexually transmitted infections in the practice of Chemsex in Spain.

Background: In recent years, there has been an increasing use of sex-related substances (known as "Chemsex") to facilitate, intensify, and prolong the sexual experience of men who have sex with men. This phenomenon poses a public health problem, increasing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and mental disorders. Objective: The primary aim of this study was to delve into the correlation between substance use and sexual health, specifically examining the association between different substances used and the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the context of Chemsex in Spain. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 563 Spanish participants between January and April 2023. Non-probabilistic purposive sampling was used by the investigators. The researchers administered a questionnaire to men who have sex with men who use substances, especially in the sexual sphere, in all the autonomous communities of Spain. Results: 14.7% reported having practiced slamsex in the last year, and 17.94% were diagnosed with a Sexually Transmitted Infection in the previous 6 months. Of these, 21% were on PREP treatment, with the main STIs being gonorrhea (p < 0.001), chlamydia (p < 0.001), genital herpes (p = 0.020), and syphilis (p < 0.001). The 63.7% used methamphetamines as the main drug in the practice of chemsex. Discussion: Chemsex in Spain is linked to a high prevalence of STIs, especially gonorrhea and chlamydia, even among those on PrEP treatment. The use of various drugs during chemsex, such as amyl nitrite, GHB, ecstasy, and others, correlates with higher rates of STIs, highlighting the need for interventions to reduce risk and harm. The drugs most associated with slamsex include ketamine, mephedrone, and methamphetamine, underscoring the importance of addressing the risk behaviors associated with this activity. Conclusion: This study shows that chemsex appears to be associated with a high prevalence among men who have sex with men. Who use multiple substances in a sexual context, and are particularly exposed to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), indicating a particular need for STI prevention and care in this group.

Patterns of Sexualized Drug Use among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV: Insights from a Comprehensive Study-The U-SEX-2 GESIDA 9416 Study.

BACKGROUND: Sexualized drug use (SDU) has become a public health concern in recent years. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of SDU in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men living with HIV (HIV + GBMSM) in Madrid during 2019/2020 and compare it with data from 2016/2017 in order to detect changes in patterns. METHODS: We analyzed the frequency of SDU in a sample of HIV + GBMSM attending HIV clinics, who participated in an anonymous online survey regarding sexual behavior and recreational drug use. The association between SDU, sexual risk behaviors, and STIs was evaluated. RESULTS: This study included 424 HIV + GBMSM, with a mean age of 40 (10.43) years. Overall, 94% (396) reported being sexually active. Additionally, 33% (140) had been diagnosed with an STI within the previous year. Moreover, 54% (229) had used drugs in the last year, 25% (107) engaged in SDU, and 16% (17) reported engagement in slamsex. After adjusting for confounding factors, SDU was associated with STIs, fisting, unprotected anal intercourse, and having >24 sexual partners in the last year. According to the DUDIT test scores, 80% (81) probably had problematic drug use (≥6 points), and 8% (8) probable drug dependence (≥25 points). When comparing the U-SEX-1 (2016/2017) data with the U-SEX-2 (2019/2020) data, no significant differences were found in the proportion of participants practicing SDU or slamming. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SDU among HIV + GBMSM has remained high in recent years and without significant changes. The risk of problematic drug use among those who practice SDU is high. We observed a clear association between SDU, high-risk sexual behaviors, and STIs.

Understanding Attachment, Emotional Regulation, and Childhood Adversity and Their Link to Chemsex.

Background: Although evidence shows that engaging in chemsex can be associated with poor mental health, little is known about the relationship between psychological factors and this type of drug use. We aim to explore associations between engagement in chemsex and several psychological variables (adverse life events, attachment styles, emotional regulation skills, self-care patterns) in a sample of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) with drug-related problems. Methods: A group of GBMSM engaged in chemsex (n = 41) and a control group of GBMSM (n = 39) completed an online survey to assess drug-related problems and the abovementioned psychological variables, in which both groups were compared. All analyses were adjusted for covariates showing significant differences between groups. Results: Compared to the control group, participants engaged in chemsex showed significantly higher frequencies of an avoidant-insecure attachment style and early adverse life events, regardless of all covariates (HIV status, job situation, and place of birth). Poorer emotional regulation and self-care patterns and a higher frequency of sexual abuse were also found in participants engaged in chemsex, though we cannot rule out the influence of HIV status on this second group of variables. Conclusions: Some people with drug-related problems engaged in chemsex might have suffered early adverse events and might have an avoidant-insecure attachment style. Moreover, those who have been diagnosed with HIV might show higher emotional dysregulation and poorer self-care patterns. These variables should be routinely evaluated in this population.

Pediatric Mental Health Emergency Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: Paediatric and adult psychiatric emergency department (ED) visits decreased during the initial COVID-19 outbreak. Long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic will include increases in mental healthcare needs, especially among vulnerable groups such as children and adolescents. Aim: This study examined changes in the number of overall and diagnosis-specific mental health ED visits among patients aged <18 years following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Madrid, Spain. Methods: Using clinical records from all psychiatric ED visits at a major teaching hospital between October 2018 and April 2021, we conducted interrupted time-series analyses and compared trends before and after the day of the first ED COVID-19 case (1st March 2020). Results: A total of 663 patients were included. In March 2020, there was a marked initial decrease of -12.8 (95% CI -21.9, - 7.9) less monthly mental health ED visits. After April 2020, there was a subsequent increasing trend of 3.4 (95% CI 2.6, 4.2) additional monthly mental health ED visits. Conclusion: After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in paediatric psychiatric ED visits, especially due to suicide-related reasons. These data reinforce the crucial role of the ED in the management of acute mental health problems among youth and highlight the need for renovated efforts to enhance access to care outside of and during acute crises during the pandemic and its aftermath.

[Approach to the causes of discharge and health needs of transgender people through the National Hospital Discharge Survey in Spain during the period 2001 to 2013]. / Aproximación a las causas de ingreso de las personas trans a través del conjunto mínimo básico de datos en España durante el periodo 2001 a 2013.

OBJECTIVE: The health of transgender people is a little studied topic and hospital records can be an opportunity to make an approach. The aim of this study was to describe the cause for admission and the associated comorbidities of transgender people in Spain between 2001 and 2013. METHODS: Retrospective observational study with population-based administrative records (Minimum Basic Data Set). The discharges generated by the transgender in Spanish public and private hospitals were selected using one of the following ICD-9-CM codes in any diagnostic field: Trans-sexualism (302.5), Disorders of psychosexual identity (302.6) and Gender identity disorder in adolescents or adults (302.85). The causes of admission and comorbidity according were described. The qualitative variables were described in their frequency distribution according to their number(n) and proportion(%) and the quantitative variables according to their mean and standard deviation (SD) or median (MD) and interquartile range (RIQ) according to their distribution. RESULTS: A total of 2,010 highs were recorded corresponding to 1,878 patients. The mean age was 33 years (SD = 10). 51% were male, 46% female and 3% undetermined or unspecified. The discharges were motivated in 59% by the process of body modification, followed by HIV (4%) and personality disorders (3%). The most common comorbidities were those associated with body modification (49%), mental health problems (40%) and infectious diseases (15%). CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to address the health of transgender people in a comprehensive way that takes into account their specific health needs, including bodily modification, mental health, HIV and other infections, through strategies that include improve research, tailor health information systems and develop guidelines and training of healthcare providers in this transgender health.

OBJETIVO: La salud de las personas transexuales es un tema poco estudiado y los registros hospitalarios pueden suponer una oportunidad para hacer una aproximación. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir el motivo de ingreso hospitalario y las comorbilidades asociadas de las personas transexuales en España entre los años 2001 y 2013. METODOS: Estudio observacional con registros administrativos de base poblacional (Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos). Se seleccionaron las altas generadas de los hospitales españoles con alguno de los siguientes códigos CIE-9-MC en cualquier campo diagnóstico: Transexualismo (302.5), Trastorno de identidad sexual en niños (302.6) y Trastornos de identidad sexual en adolescentes o adultos (302.85). Se describieron las causas de ingreso y las comorbilidadades. Las variables cualitativas se describieron en su distribución de frecuencias según su número (n) y proporción (%) y las variables cuantitativas según su media y desviación estándar (DE) o mediana (MD) y rango intercuartíl (RIC) según su distribución. RESULTADOS: Se registraron 2.010 altas correspondientes a 1.878 pacientes. La edad media fue de 33 años (DE = 10). El 51% eran varones, el 46% mujeres y el 3% indeterminado. Los motivos de ingreso más frecuentes fueron los relacionados con proceso de transición (59%), seguido de VIH (4%) y trastornos de la personalidad (3%). Las comorbilidades más frecuentes estuvieron relacionadas con el proceso de transición (49%), los problemas de salud mental (40%) y las enfermedades infecciosas (15%). CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario abordar la salud de las personas trans teniendo en cuenta sus necesidades específicas de salud, entre las que se encuentran la modificación corporal, la salud mental, el VIH y otras infecciones mediante estrategias que incluyan la investigación, la adecuación de los sistemas de información sanitaria, la elaboración de guías de atención y la formación de personal de salud.

Aproximación a las causas de ingreso de las personas trans a través del conjunto mínimo básico de datos en España durante el periodo 2001 a 2013 / Approach to the causes of discharge and health needs of transgender people through the National Hospital Discharge Survey in Spain during the period 2001 to 2013

OBJETIVO: La salud de las personas transexuales es un tema poco estudiado y los registros hospitalarios pueden suponer una oportunidad para hacer una aproximación. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir el motivo de ingreso hospitalario y las comorbilidades asociadas de las personas transexuales en España entre los años 2001 y 2013. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional con registros administrativos de base poblacional (Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos). Se seleccionaron las altas generadas de los hospitales españoles con alguno de los siguientes códigos CIE-9-MC en cualquier campo diagnóstico: Transexualismo (302.5), Trastorno de identidad sexual en niños (302.6) y Trastornos de identidad sexual en adolescentes o adultos (302.85). Se describieron las causas de ingreso y las comorbilidadades. Las variables cualitativas se describieron en su distribución de frecuencias según su número (n) y proporción (%) y las variables cuantitativas según su media y desviación estándar (DE) o mediana (MD) y rango intercuartíl (RIC) según su distribución. RESULTADOS: Se registraron 2.010 altas correspondientes a 1.878 pacientes. La edad media fue de 33 años (DE = 10). El 51% eran varones, el 46% mujeres y el 3% indeterminado. Los motivos de ingreso más frecuentes fueron los relacionados con proceso de transición (59%), seguido de VIH (4%) y trastornos de la personalidad (3%). Las comorbilidades más frecuentes estuvieron relacionadas con el proceso de transición (49%), los problemas de salud mental (40%) y las enfermedades infecciosas (15%). CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario abordar la salud de las personas trans teniendo en cuenta sus necesidades específicas de salud, entre las que se encuentran la modificación corporal, la salud mental, el VIH y otras infecciones mediante estrategias que incluyan la investigación, la adecuación de los sistemas de información sanitaria, la elaboración de guías de atención y la formación de personal de salud

OBJECTIVE: The health of transgender people is a little studied topic and hospital records can be an opportunity to make an approach. The aim of this study was to describe the cause for admission and the associated comorbidities of transgender people in Spain between 2001 and 2013. METHODS: Retrospective observational study with population-based administrative records (Minimum Basic Data Set). The discharges generated by the transgender in Spanish public and private hospitals were selected using one of the following ICD-9-CM codes in any diagnostic field: Trans-sexualism (302.5), Disorders of psychosexual identity (302.6) and Gender identity disorder in adolescents or adults (302.85). The causes of admission and comorbidity according were described. The qualitative variables were described in their frequency distribution according to their number(n) and proportion(%) and the quantitative variables according to their mean and standard deviation (SD) or median (MD) and interquartile range (RIQ) according to their distribution. RESULTS: A total of 2,010 highs were recorded corresponding to 1,878 patients. The mean age was 33 years (SD = 10). 51% were male, 46% female and 3% undetermined or unspecified. The discharges were motivated in 59% by the process of body modification, followed by HIV (4%) and personality disorders (3%). The most common comorbidities were those associated with body modification (49%), mental health problems (40%) and infectious diseases (15%). CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to address the health of transgender people in a comprehensive way that takes into account their specific health needs, including bodily modification, mental health, HIV and other infections, through strategies that include improve research, tailor health information systems and develop guidelines and training of healthcare providers in this transgender health