No evidence for a sustained increase in sexually transmitted diseases among heterosexuals in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: a 12-year trend analysis at the sexually transmitted disease outpatient clinic, Amsterdam.
OBJECTIVE
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise, mainly among men having sex with men (MSM).


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to evaluate whether STD increases as seen in MSM are also visible among heterosexuals.


METHODS
Attendees of the STD clinic in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, are routinely tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Additionally, all women are tested for trichomoniasis. STD time trends of heterosexual attendees between 1994 and 2005 were analyzed by logistic regression and generalized linear models with a negative binomial distribution.


RESULTS
The number of consultations doubled since 1994. However, no long-term increase was seen in the number of syphilis and gonorrhea infections. Additionally, the trichomonas prevalence declined. However, the number of chlamydia infections increased over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the number of attendees increased, no evidence for increasing STD incidence was found among heterosexuals. The increase in chlamydia infections can probably be explained by increased screening resulting from increased numbers of attendees.
Van der Bij
Akke K
AK
Department of Research, Cluster Infectious Diseases, Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Geskus
Ronald B
RB
Fennema
Han S A
HS
Adams
Karin
K
Coutinho
Roel A
RA
Dukers
Nicole H T M
NH
D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D005260:Female; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*