A retrospective study of the pattern of sexually transmitted infections from a tertiary care hospital of Rajasthan

Epidemiology and changing trends of sexually transmitted diseases over the past 17 years in a tertiary care center: A retrospective study

Introduction

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to be a major public health problem with significant burden on the society. Some of this can be attributed to our lack of knowledge about the change of disease spectrum from time to time.

Aims

The aim of the study was to understand the changing pattern of STDs over the past 17 years (2003-2019).

Materials and Methods

It was a retrospective study where data of patients who attended our Suraksha Clinic from 2003 to 2019 were collected. All the cases were subjected to detailed history, examination, and investigations done to rule out STDs.

Results

A total of 2436 patients were included in the study. The majority of the patients were in the age group of 18-30 years. The most frequent diagnosis was vulvovaginal candidiasis, followed by herpes genitalis. 3.3% of patients had human immunodeficiency virus. 4.8% of patients were men sex men (MSM). Overall, viral STDs were most common, followed by fungal and bacterial. To understand the changing trends, data were divided into different phases according to the time period. During Phase 1 (2003-2007), viral STDs were most common, followed by bacterial and fungal. However, this trend changed in Phase 4 (2016-2019) and fungal STDs became most common.

Conclusions

Despite numerous health initiatives, the number of STD cases is rising day by day. The increasing number of MSM over the study period necessitates dedicated efforts to address the health needs of this population. The National AIDS Control Organization should take necessary measures and steps to address the overall increase in STDs considering recent trends showing a drop in bacterial STDs and an increase in fungal and viral STDs.

Trends in genital ulcer disease: An observational study at a tertiary care teaching hospital

Introduction

Genital ulcer disease (GUD) often creates diagnostic difficulty in developing countries like India, with limited resources available in the health-care system. The changing etiology in GUDs over the years makes it imperative that a correct diagnosis is made to establish appropriate treatment and formulate awareness programs.

Aims

This study was done to determine the recent trends in the demographic parameters, clinical presentations, etiology of GUDs, and their association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Materials and Methods

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to August 2022 at the Dermatology Outpatient Department in our hospital. All the patients who presented with GUDs were included after written informed consent. The diagnosis of GUD was confirmed by thorough clinical examination and appropriate laboratory test. Data were entered and analyzed using IBM SPSS software.

Results

Out of 135 cases of GUDs, the majority were males (79%). The most common age group was 21-30 years, with a mean age of 35.23 ± 14.98 years. Most of the patients were heterosexual (90%). Multiple sexual partners were found in 40% of cases. Herpes genitalis was the most common GUD (59%), followed by syphilis (15%). HIV infection was found in 6.6% of cases.

Conclusion

This study represents the increasing burden of viral GUDs compared to the last three decades. The ulcerative sexually transmitted infection facilitates the transmission of HIV. In this HIV era, there is a need for increased efforts toward acknowledgment, safe sexual practices, periodic screening, and sexual health awareness programs in the high-risk population.

Linear trends over 20 years in sexually transmitted infections among patients attending a tertiary care centre in north Kerala, India

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, a declining trend is observed in sexually transmitted infections of bacterial origin which is reflected as a rise in the proportion of viral sexually transmitted infections.

AIMS

To find out the clinical referral patterns of sexually transmitted infections among patients who attended the sexually transmitted infection clinic attached to Dermatology and Venereology Department of Government Medical College, Kozhikode from 1.1.1998 to 31.12.2017 and to study the linear trends in the pattern of sexually transmitted infections over 20 years.

METHODS

After clearance from the institutional ethics committee, a retrospective study was conducted among patients who attended the sexually transmitted infection clinic of Government Medical College, Kozhikode from 1.1.1998 to 31.12.2017 and were diagnosed to have sexually transmitted infections.

RESULTS

During the 20 year study period 5227 patients, attended the sexually transmitted infection clinic of our institution. Diagnosis of sexually transmitted infection was made in 2470 (47.3%) cases. Predominant sexually transmitted infections were herpes genitalis (964, 39%), condyloma acuminata (921, 37.9%) and syphilis (418, 17.2%). Viral sexually transmitted infections (1885, 76.3%) outnumbered bacterial sexually transmitted infections (575, 23.3%). A declining trend was noted for both bacterial and viral sexually transmitted infections over the 20 year period, which was more marked for the former. But the latter years of the study documented a rising trend in total sexually transmitted infections including bacterial sexually transmitted infections.

LIMITATIONS

The study does not reflect the status of sexually transmitted infections in the general population since it was conducted in a tertiary referral center.

CONCLUSION

The disturbing ascending trend recorded in sexually transmitted infections including syphilis during the final years of the 20-year period needs to be watched closely, to plan future strategies.