Trends in HIV infection surveillance data among men who have sex with men in Norway, 1995-2011

Abstract

BackgroundRecent reports on the growing HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the EU/EEA area were accompanied by an increase of reported HIV among MSM in Oslo, Norway in 2003. Our study with data from 1995 to 2011 has described the recent trends of HIV among MSM in Norway and their socio-demographic and epidemiological characteristics.MethodsThe data were collected from the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases. Cases were described by age, place of infection, clinical presentation of HIV infection, STI co-infection and source partner. We used simple linear regression to estimate trends over time.ResultsDuring the study period, 991 MSM, aged from 16 to 80 years, were newly diagnosed with HIV. No significant trends over time in overall median age (36 years) were observed. Most of the MSM (505, 51%) were infected in Oslo. In the years 1995-2002, 30 to 45 MSM were diagnosed with HIV each year, while in the years 2003-2011 this increased to between 56 and 97 cases. The proportion of MSM, presenting with either AIDS or HIV illness, decreased over time, while asymptomatic and acute HIV illness increased (p for trend=0.034 or less). STI co-infection was reported in 133 (13%) cases. An overall increase of syphilis co-infected cases was observed (p for trend <0.001). A casual partner was a source of infection in 590 cases (60%).ConclusionsThough the increases described could be attributed to earlier testing and diagnosis, no change in the median age of cases was observed. This indicates that it is likely that there has been an increase in HIV infections among MSM in Norway since 2003. The simultaneous increase in STI co-infections indicates risky sexual behaviour and a potential to spread both HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

An overview of the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men in the United Kingdom, 1999–2013

“…Although surveillance systems differ between countries, new diagnosis trends among men in the UK are broadly comparable to those observed in other European countries [10][11][12]. This has resulted in an overall increase in new HIV diagnoses among men reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): with a 36% increase in new diagnoses observed between 2003 and 2008 in Europe [13].…”

“…Without concurrent HIV testing data, it is difficult to interpret the rise in new diagnoses reported in other countries. In Norway, the rise has been attributed to increased transmission rather than HIV testing [10]. A proportional decline in late diagnosis among men has been reported across Europe in recent years [13][14][15]; in central Europe from 52% in 2000 to 40% in 2008 and in northern Europe from 48% to 39% [14].…”

Australian sexually transmissible infection and HIV testing guidelines for asymptomatic men who have sex with men 2014: a review of the evidence

“…[133][134][135][136][137][138] In Australia, an estimated 12-33% of HIV among MSM remains undiagnosed. 139,140 Despite around two-thirds of gaycommunity-attached MSM consistently reporting testing, 141 less than 40% of high-risk MSM return for HIV testing within 1 year of a previous test.…”

“…137,158,[165][166][167][168][169] Although HCV has emerged as a STI that is largely confined to HIV-positive MSM, and gonorrhoea and chlamydia are frequently identified, 166 syphilis appears to be the most commonly reported STI coinfection among those with HIV. 159,170 Nonetheless, STI testing rates for nongenital gonorrhoea, chlamydia 171,172 and syphilis 173 in MSM with HIV infection remain below recommended levels.…”

Prevalence of HIV and syphilis co-infection and associated factors among non-commercial men who have sex with men attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Shenzhen, China

“…Along with the resurgence of syphilis in China was a rapidly expanding infection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among MSM [9, 10]. According to a meta-analysis involving seventy-one eligible studies, the prevalence of HIV among MSM in China increased from 1.3% in 2003–2004 to 4.7% in 2007–2008 [9], and simultaneously, the prevalence of HIV and syphilis co-infection increased from 1.4% in 2005–2006 to 2.7% in 2007–2008.…”