A systematic review of the epidemiologic interactions between classic sexually transmitted diseases and HIV: how much really is known?
BACKGROUND
Many studies have explored the role of "classic" sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in determining the pattern of HIV epidemics. However, the many different STDs may contribute in different ways, at different magnitudes.


OBJECTIVE
To review available studies on the bidirectional interactions of HIV and STDs to explore the extent of current knowledge on the different influences of the varied STDs in heterosexual HIV epidemics.


METHODS
Longitudinal studies on susceptibility and controlled studies on infectiousness and duration of disease identified on electronic databases through reference lists and citation indices up to the end of 1999 were systematically reviewed, including meta-analyses assessing the influence of STDs on susceptibility to HIV.


RESULTS
Studies have a clear publication bias with a significant result that hinders robust interpretation. However, genital ulcerative disease appears to have a greater impact than nonulcerative disease, and men are more affected than women by the effects of STDs on susceptibility to HIV. There is evidence that STDs increase the infectiousness of HIV from men to women, whereas the evidence is more equivocal for the infectiousness of women. Few studies identify the impact of different STDs, and there is a marked lack of studies investigating the impact of HIV infection on the transmission of other STDs.


CONCLUSIONS
A large body of work has measured the association between STDs and HIV. However, publication bias and gaps in the focus of studies mean that a detailed, quantitative understanding of the interaction requires much more attention.
Røttingen
J A
JA
Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College School of Medicine at St Mary's, London, United Kingdom. j.a.rottingen@basalmed.uio.no
Cameron
D W
DW
Garnett
G P
GP
D015897:Comorbidity; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016239:MEDLINE; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D017594:Publication Bias; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission