Trends in sexually transmitted infections in general practice 1990-2000: population based study using data from the UK general practice research database.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the contribution of primary care to the diagnosis and management of sexually transmitted infections in the United Kingdom, 1990-2000, in the context of increasing incidence of infections in genitourinary medicine clinics.


METHODS
Population based study.


METHODS
UK primary care.


METHODS
Patients registered in the UK general practice research database.


METHODS
Incidence of diagnosed sexually transmitted infections in primary care and estimation of the proportion of major such infections diagnosed in primary care.


RESULTS
An estimated 23.0% of chlamydia cases in women but only 5.3% in men were diagnosed and treated in primary care during 1998-2000, along with 49.2% cases of non-specific urethritis and urethral discharge in men and 5.7% cases of gonorrhoea in women and 2.9% in men. Rates of diagnosis in primary care rose substantially in the late 1990s.


CONCLUSIONS
A substantial and increasing number of sexually transmitted infections are diagnosed and treated in primary care in the United Kingdom, with sex ratios differing from those in genitourinary medicine clinics. Large numbers of men are treated in primary care for presumptive sexually transmitted infections.
Cassell
Jackie A
JA
Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London NW3 3PF. j.cassell@pcps.ucl.ac.uk
Mercer
Catherine H
CH
Sutcliffe
Lorna
L
Petersen
Irene
I
Islam
Amir
A
Brook
M Gary
MG
Ross
Jonathan D
JD
Kinghorn
George R
GR
Simms
Ian
I
Hughes
Gwenda
G
Majeed
Azeem
A
Stephenson
Judith M
JM
Johnson
Anne M
AM
Hayward
Andrew C
AC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology