PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E J Erbelding

Publications and source records attributed to E J Erbelding.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Serological response to syphilis treatment in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients attending sexually transmitted diseases clinics.

BACKGROUND: HIV-positive patients treated for syphilis may be at increased risk for serological failure. OBJECTIVE: To compare follow-up serologies and serological responses to treatment between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients attending two sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics. STUDY DESIGN: Existing records were reviewed from HIV-positive patients who were diagnosed and treated for syphilis at the public STD clinics in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, between 1992 and 2000. Results of their serological follow-up were compared with those of HIV-negative clinic patients at the time of syphilis treatment. Failure was defined as lack of a fourfold drop in rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titre by 400 days after treatment or a fourfold increased titre between 30 and 400 days. RESULTS: Of the 450 HIV-positive patients with syphilis, 288 (64%) did not have documented follow-up serologies and 129 (28.5%) met the inclusion criteria; 168 (17%) of 1000 known HIV-negative patients were similarly eligible. There were 22 failures in the HIV-positive group and 5 in the HIV-negative group (p<0.001). The median times to successful serological responses in both groups were 278 (95% confidence interval (CI) 209 to 350) and 126 (95% CI 108 to 157) days, respectively (p<0.001). A multivariate Cox's proportional hazards model showed an increased risk of serological failure among the HIV-positive patients (hazards ratio 6.0, 95% CI 1.5 to 23.9; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: HIV-positive patients treated for syphilis may be at higher risk of serological failure. Despite recommendations for more frequent serological follow-up, most patients did not have documentation of serological response after standard treatment for syphilis.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Patient, provider, and clinic characteristics associated with public STD clinic patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVES: There is a lack of information describing levels of patient satisfaction among patients seeking sexually transmitted diseases (STD) care in a public clinic setting. We sought to identify patient, provider, and clinic characteristics associated with patient satisfaction within public STD clinics. METHODS: A cross sectional survey with random sampling was conducted among patients attending two public STD clinics. Satisfaction was assessed using questions from validated national surveys. Outcomes for multivariate logistic regression analysis were ratings of overall health care and clinician. RESULTS: 499/605 (82%) patients were enrolled. Patients were mean age 29 years, 51% male, 94% black. Lower rating of clinician technical skills (OR = 15.6 clinic A, OR = 7.9 clinic B) and clinic environment (OR = 3.9 clinic A, OR = 9.6 clinic B) were associated with lower healthcare rating, as was lower rating of television/video in waiting room (OR = 10.2, clinic A) and dysuria (OR = 4.2, clinic B). Higher clinician rating (OR = 0.58, clinic A) and receiving written materials (OR = 0.44, clinic B) were protective of lower healthcare rating. Risks for lower clinician rating at clinic A were greater pain, problems getting care, lower rating of clinician technical skill, and overall health care, while receiving written materials was protective. At clinic B, lower rating of clinician technical skill and clinic environment were risks for lower clinician rating. CONCLUSIONS: Patient satisfaction was associated with modifiable provider and clinic characteristics. Results from our study indicate a need to examine whether health outcomes of STD management vary by patient satisfaction.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Audio computer assisted self interview and face to face interview modes in assessing response bias among STD clinic patients.

BACKGROUND: Audio computer assisted self interview (ACASI) may minimise social desirability bias in the ascertainment of sensitive behaviours. The aim of this study was to describe the difference in reporting risk behaviour in ACASI compared to a face to face interview (FFI) among public sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic attendees. STUDY DESIGN: Randomly selected patients attending a public STD clinic in Baltimore, Maryland, sequentially took an ACASI formatted risk behaviour assessment followed by an FFI conducted by a single clinician, with both interview modalities surveying sexual and drug use behaviours. Binary responses were compared using the sign test, and categorical responses were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test to account for repeated measures. RESULTS: 671 (52% men, mean age 30 years, 95% African American) of 795 clinic attendees screened consented to participate. Subjects affirmed sensitive sexual behaviours such as same sex contact (p = 0.012), receptive rectal sexual exposure (p < 0.001), orogenital contact (p < 0.001), and a greater number of sex partners in the past month (p < 0.001) more frequently with ACASI than with an FFI. However, there were no differences in participant responses to questions on use of illicit drugs or needle sharing. CONCLUSIONS: Among STD clinic patients, reporting of sensitive sexual risk behaviours to clinicians was much more susceptible to social desirability bias than was reporting of illegal drug use behaviours. In STD clinics where screening of sexual risk is an essential component of STD prevention, the use of ACASI may be a more reliable assessment method than traditional FFI.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology in a sexually transmitted diseases clinic.

Women seeking sexually transmitted disease (STD) services are at high risk of human papillomavirus infections. Cervical cytological screening with Papanicolau staining (Pap smear) is not consistently offered at public STD clinics. We reviewed Pap smear results on a series of 1000 female STD clinic attendees, abstracted demographics, risk behaviours and STD diagnosis from the clinical record and tested for associations with abnormal Pap smear. In all, 5.7% of the satisfactory specimens (56/993) were abnormal; increasing age category, genital warts, and chlamydia infections were independently associated with an abnormal Pap smear in multivariate analysis. Routine Pap smear screening provided satisfactory results in the STD clinic and, where population-based programmes are not available, should be fully integrated into public STD care, (particularly in settings serving younger women).

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Differences in demographics and risk factors among men attending public v non-public STD clinics in Baltimore, Maryland.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the demographics and risk factors of men who utilise the services of a municipal public sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic with those who utilise the services provided by a non-public men's STD clinic operated by a not for profit primary care clinic. METHODS: A record based review of the characteristics and STD prevalence of men who visited a non-public STD clinic in Baltimore, Maryland, compared with those of a random sample of male attendees of a public STD clinic. Data abstracted from the records included information on age, race/ethnicity, self reported risk behaviours, and STD tests and results. We used chi2 analysis as well as bivariate and multivariate modelling to compare differences in categorical factors between clinics groups. RESULTS: Men who utilised the services at the non-public STD clinic were more often white (71% v 3%, p<0.001), MSM (65% v 2%, p<0.001), and presented for general screening (52% v 15%, p<0.001) compared to those at the public clinic. In addition, they more frequently reported > or =3 partners (22% v 11%, p=0.005), and having an HIV positive partner (10% v 3%, p=0.005). Factors independently associated with attendance at non-public clinic in multivariate analysis were general screening as reason for visit (OR = 11.0, p<0.001), having 3+ partners in past month (OR=10.5, p=0.002), and "sometimes" using condoms (OR=3.6, p=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Non-public STD clinics can reach a distinct segment of the male population with high risk sexual behaviours that might not attend public STD clinics.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Following-up for HIV test results: what limits return in an STD clinic population?

HIV testing is routinely performed in sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics, but many tested do not follow up for results. We analysed data on STD clinic patients undergoing HIV testing between 1994-1998 who tested HIV-negative to describe characteristics associated with 'non-return' for results. Among 31,777 patients testing HIV-negative, male gender (odds ratio [OR] 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19, 1.33), age <30 years (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.43, 1.82), and a diagnosis of gonorrhoea at the testing visit (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.43, 1.82) were all independently associated with 'non-return.' Presentation to clinic specifically for HIV testing (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.63, 0.77) or reporting a partner with HIV (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.53, 0.74) were factors independently protective against 'non-return.' Operational changes to improve test results notification, or enhanced counselling at the initial test visit, particularly focusing on young men with gonorrhoea, may optimize prevention outcomes in this high risk population.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Gonorrhoea reinfection in heterosexual STD clinic attendees: longitudinal analysis of risks for first reinfection.

OBJECTIVES: Gonorrhoea is associated with adverse reproductive health outcomes, including pelvic inflammatory disease and increased HIV transmission. Our objective was to determine the association of demographic factors, sexual risk behaviours, and drug use with incident gonorrhoea reinfection among public STD clinic clients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study conducted from January 1994 through October 1998, of heterosexual public STD clinic attendees age >/=12 years having at least one gonorrhoea infection in Baltimore, MD. The outcome was first incident gonorrhoea reinfection over a maximum 4.8 years, compared in STD clinic clients with or without sexual risk behaviours and drug use at initial gonorrhoea infection. RESULTS: 910 reinfections occurred among 8327 individuals and 21 246 person years of observation, for an overall incidence of 4.28 reinfections per 100 person years (95% CI 4.03 to 4.53). Median time to reinfection was 1.00 year (95% CI 0.91 to 1.07 years). In multivariate Cox regression, increased reinfection risk was associated with male sex, younger age, greater number of recent sex partners, and having a sex partner who is a commercial sex worker. Injection drug use and coming to the clinic as an STD contact were protective. Among risk factors that differed significantly between men and women, injection drug use was protective of reinfection in men, and "any" condom use was a risk factor for reinfection in women CONCLUSIONS: Reinfection represents a significant proportion of STD clinic visits for gonorrhoea. Prevention counselling and routine screening for patients at high risk for reinfection should be considered to maximally reduce transmission and resource utilisation.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Use of urine polymerase chain reaction to define the prevalence and clinical presentation of Trichomonas vaginalis in men attending an STD clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clinical features of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection in men. METHODS: Men attending a public STD clinic in Baltimore, Maryland, were evaluated between March and July 2000. Clinicians recorded a standardised history and clinical examination. Urethral swab specimens were collected for Gram stain and Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture. First fraction urine samples were evaluated with TV culture and chlamydia and TV polymerase chain reaction (PCR). True positive TV was defined as a positive TV culture or a positive TV PCR confirmed with a second primer set. RESULTS: 355 men were evaluated in 363 visits. The prevalence of gonorrhoea, TV, and chlamydia were 19%, 13%, and 11%, respectively. In men over 28 years, the prevalence of TV was significantly higher than chlamydia. Age and urethritis by Gram stain were associated with a positive result on TV culture (p=0.03 and p=0.02, respectively) but not associated with TV infection as defined by a positive TV culture or a confirmed TV PCR. Discharge or dysuria was reported in 47% and 22% of men with TV, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TV prevalence in an urban STD clinic setting was high. Older age and urethritis were not significantly associated with TV infection as defined by a positive TV culture or a confirmed TV PCR.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

High rates of depressive symptoms in STD clinic patients.

BACKGROUND: Depressed mood syndromes may limit the ability of patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to process risk reduction messages and change behavior. We undertook screening for depression in an urban STD clinic. GOAL: To define the prevalence of depressed mood among STD patients in Baltimore, Maryland. STUDY DESIGN: A convenience sample of 125 patients presenting to an STD clinic completed the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Endorsement of > or = 6 depressive symptom items on the GHQ was considered probable depression. RESULTS: Of 125 patients screened, 39.2% had GHQ scores above the threshold. Women were more likely to have probable depression than men (51.9% versus 31.9%, P = 0.023). There was no association of substance use and depressed mood, nor of a diagnosed STD and depressed mood. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptom rates are extremely high among STD patients, which may compromise the success of risk reduction counseling.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Behavioral and biologic evidence of persistent high-risk behavior in an HIV primary care population.

OBJECTIVE: To define the prevalence of gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, and high-risk sexual behavior in an HIV primary care clinic. DESIGN: Subjects enrolling in this cross-sectional study answered a brief interviewer-administered questionnaire and provided a urine sample for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing. SETTING: A large urban HIV primary care clinic. PARTICIPANTS: HIV-infected patients presenting for a scheduled medical visit from June 1997 to April 1998. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of self-reported high-risk sexual behavior and gonorrhea and chlamydial infection. RESULTS: Of 691 patients consenting to the study over a 10-month period, 58% reported sexual activity in the past 90 days, 7.4% reported multiple sexual partners in the past month, and 34.6% did not use a condom at last sexual encounter. Overall, 4.6% reported a history of either gonorrhea or a chlamydial infection in the past year. Of 637 giving a urine sample for testing, the prevalence of chlamydial infection was 2.4%; the prevalence of gonorrhea was 1.6%. Overall, 7.5% of those screened had either current or recent (within 1 year) gonorrhea or chlamydial infection. Current or recent gonorrhea or chlamydial infection was not associated with age, gender, HIV transmission risk, CD4 cell count, HIV viral load, symptoms, or self-reported risk behavior. CONCLUSION: High-risk sexual behavior and unrecognized sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are common among HIV-infected persons followed in primary medical care. Enhanced detection of treatable STD among this population coupled with improved risk-reduction counselling may be important clinical practice measures that can curb the spread of HIV.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Urethritis treatment.

This article reviews most common sexually transmitted causes of urethritis in men. Outlined are clinical presentation, approach, diagnostic work-up, and treatment for the most common pathogens, as well as the cost issues related to antibiotic therapy. Common management problems in urethritis are also discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Syphilis serology in human immunodeficiency virus infection: evidence for false-negative fluorescent treponemal testing.

Injection drug users were assessed serologically for human immunodeficiency virus infection and syphilis every 6 months. Treatment histories were reviewed for any high-titer biologic false-positive (BFP) reactors, that is, persons with rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titers > or = 1:4 and negative results for fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) tests. Selected sera were analyzed further by immunoblotting for the presence of antibodies reactive with specific Treponema pallidum antigens. Of 112 BFP reactors, 35 (31%) had at least one RPR test reactive at a dilution >1:8 while the FTA-ABS test remained nonreactive. Five reactors (4.5%) converted from nonreactive to reactive by FTA-ABS test; 4 (3.6%) were reactive by FTA-ABS tests but later became nonreactive. Antibodies to T. pallidum membrane antigens were detected in some samples that were persistently nonreactive by FTA-ABS test. Serologic patterns over time, along with very high-titer BFP reactions and reactivity with T. pallidum-specific antigens, suggest that some BFP reactions may represent FTA-negative syphilis.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1997

Acyclovir in combination with zidovudine does not prolong survival in advanced HIV disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between acyclovir use and survival in HIV-infected patients. To achieve this, we used survival analysis in an observational cohort of HIV-infected patients enrolled in primary care at an urban HIV clinic. We measured survival in a cohort of HIV-infected patients who had CD4 cell counts < or = 500/mm3 and who enrolled for care at a single urban HIV clinic between December 1988 and April 1995. We compared survival in users of acyclovir alone, zidovudine alone, and acyclovir and zidovudine in combination with the survival of those using neither drug. Factors associated with improved survival were identified using Cox proportional hazards analysis. Among the 1408 patients enrolled, there were no significant differences in overall survival between acyclovir users and non-users. After adjustment for CD4 cell count, the use of other antiretroviral agents, race, transmission risk and a history of herpesvirus infection, acyclovir use alone was independently associated with a relative hazard (RH) of death of 1.008 (P = 0.969); zidovudine use alone with a RH of 0.559 (P < 0.001); and combination use of acyclovir and zidovudine associated with a RH of 1.062 (P = 0.788). Therefore we conclude that the use of acyclovir is not associated with prolonged survival in this cohort of HIV-infected patients.

Acyclovir↗