Sarcoptes scabiei in a sexually transmitted infections unit: a 15-year study.
BACKGROUND
Few epidemiologic studies of scabies in sexually transmitted infection (STI) unit attenders exist.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine epidemiology and trends of infestation among attenders at a Spanish STI unit.


METHODS
A prospective 15-year (1988-2002) study was conducted of 9751 STI unit attenders, investigating scabies and other STIs.


RESULTS
One hundred forty-seven patients (1.5%) had scabies, which was more frequent in males (2.1%, 73 of 3623) than in females (1.2%, 72 of 6128) (P <0.001). Infestation peaked in autumn/winter (70.1%) versus spring/summer (29.9%) (P <0.001). Significantly more cases occurred in single men (P <0.05), males under 35 (P <0.05), men with sporadic sexual contacts (P <0.001), and men who have sex with men (MSM) (P <0.001). In women, more cases occurred in Spanish patients (P <0.01), high alcohol users (P <0.05), and oral contraceptive users (P <0.01). In both sexes, scabies was commoner in smokers (P <0.05) and parenteral drug abusers (P <0.001). Scabies showed no significant association with other STIs.


CONCLUSIONS
Scabies incidence has been stable, with autumn and winter peaks. Infestation is associated with lifestyle, MSM, and males with sporadic sexual contact.
Otero
Luis
L
Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital de Cabueñes, Gijón, Spain.
Varela
José A
JA
Espinosa
Emma
E
Sánchez
Carmen
C
Junquera
María Luisa
ML
del Valle
Asunción
A
Vázquez
Fernando
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012520:Sarcoptes scabiei; D012532:Scabies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012621:Seasons; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders