Correlates of sexually transmitted infection histories in a cohort of American male health professionals.
OBJECTIVE
Several epidemiologic studies have investigated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and later risk of genitourinary conditions with suggestive positive results. While these results may reflect causal associations, other possible explanations include confounding by factors possibly related to both STI acquisition and genitourinary condition risk such as recognized STI-risk factors/correlates, and other factors not typically considered in relation to STIs (e.g., general health-related behaviors or markers of such behaviors). Very few of these factors have been investigated in older populations in which STIs and genitourinary conditions are typically studied. Therefore, we investigated STI history correlates in one such population, the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.


METHODS
We ascertained histories of potential correlates, gonorrhea, syphilis by questionnaire (n = 36,032), and performed serologic testing for Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, human papillomavirus, and human herpesvirus type 8 infection in a subset (n = 651).


RESULTS
Positive correlations were observed for African-American race, foreign birth, southern residence, smoking, alcohol consumption, ejaculation frequency, vasectomy, and high cholesterol. Inverse correlations were observed for social integration and routine health-related examinations.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide useful information on potential confounders for epidemiologic investigations of STIs and chronic diseases, and interesting new hypotheses for STI prevention (e.g., STI counseling before vasectomy).
Sutcliffe
Siobhan
S
Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Kawachi
Ichiro
I
Alderete
John F
JF
Gaydos
Charlotte A
CA
Jacobson
Lisa P
LP
Jenkins
Frank J
FJ
Viscidi
Raphael P
RP
Zenilman
Jonathan M
JM
Platz
Elizabeth A
EA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D014659:Vasectomy