Sexual behaviour, recreational drug use and hepatitis C co‐infection in HIV‐diagnosed men who have sex with men in the United Kingdom: results from the ASTRA study

• DOI: 10.7448/ias.17.4.19630
• Publication Date: 2014-11-03T08:30:34Z
• Authors: Marina Daskalopoulou; Alison Rodger; Alicia Thornton; Andrew Phillips; Lorraine Sherr; Richard Gilson; Margaret Johnson; Martin Fisher; Jane Anderson; Jeffrey McDonnell; Simon Edwards; Nicky Perry; Simon Collins; Sanjay Bhagani; Andrew Speakman; Colette Smith; Fiona Lampe
• Keywords: Hepatitis C; Recreational drug use; Cross-sectional study

Transmission of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) among HIV-positive men who have sex with (MSM) in the United Kingdom is ongoing. We explore associations between self-reported sexual behaviours and drug use cumulative HCV prevalence, as well new diagnosis.ASTRA a cross-sectional questionnaire study including 2,248 HIV-diagnosed MSM under care during 2011-2012. Socio-demographic, lifestyle, HIV-related behaviour data were collected study. One thousand seven hundred fifty two (≥70%) consented to linkage ASTRA clinical information (prior post questionnaire) included. Cumulative prevalence was defined any positive anti-HCV or HCV-RNA test result at point prior completion. excluded 536 participants records only after Among remaining 1,216 MSM, we describe recreational three months using modified Poisson regression robust error variances. New 591 reported ever having diagnosis questionnaire, did not tests questionnaire. 1,195 occurrence follow-up according (Fisher's exact test).Cumulative 13.3% (95% CI 11.5-15.4). Clinic- age-adjusted ratios CI) for 4.6 (3.1-6.7) methamphetamine, 6.5 (3.5-12.1) injection drugs, 2.3 (1.6-3.4) gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), 1.6 (1.3-2.0) nitrites, 1.7 (1.5-2.0) all condom-less (CLS), 2.1 (1.7-2.5) CLS-HIV-seroconcordant, 1.3 (0.9-1.9) CLS-HIV-serodiscordant, 2.0 (1.6-2.5) group sex, 1.5 (1.2-1.9) more than 10 partners past year. 2.2 years [IQR 1.5-2.4] median follow-up, there 7 cases 2,033 person-years risk. Incidence 3.5 per 1,000 1.6-7.2). recorded 1.3% used methamphetamine versus 0.5% (p=0.385); 3.7% injected drugs (p=0.148); 2.9% GHB 0.4% (p=0.003); 1.5% nitrites 0.2% (p=0.019); 1.1% CLS 0.3% (p=0.084); 1.7% CLS-HIV-serodiscordant (p=0.069); 0.9% had CLS-HIV-seroconcordant (p=0.318); 0.8% (p=0.463); 1.6% =10 previous year no up 9 (p=0.015).Self-reported recent multiple are associated pre-existing infection and, exception appear be predictive co-infection MSM.