Patrick S. Sullivan

Incidence of Types of Cancer among HIV-Infected Persons Compared with the General Population in the United States, 1992–2003

BACKGROUND Persons who are HIV-infected may be at higher risk for certain types of cancer than the general population. OBJECTIVE To compare cancer incidence among HIV-infected persons with incidence in the general population from 1992 to 2003. DESIGN Prospective observational cohort studies. SETTING United States. PATIENTS 54,780 HIV-infected persons in the Adult and Adolescent Spectrum of HIV Disease Project (47,832 patients) and the HIV Outpatient Study (6948 patients), who contributed 157,819 person-years of follow-up from 1992 to 2003, and 334,802,121 records from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program of 13 geographically defined, population-based, central cancer registries. MEASUREMENTS Standardized rate ratios (SRRs) to compare cancer incidence in the HIV-infected population with standardized cancer incidence in the general population. RESULTS The incidence of the following types of non-AIDS-defining cancer was significantly higher in the HIV-infected population than in the general population: anal (SRR, 42.9 [95% CI, 34.1 to 53.3]), vaginal (21.0 [CI, 11.2 to 35.9]), Hodgkin lymphoma (14.7 [CI, 11.6 to 18.2]), liver (7.7 [CI, 5.7 to 10.1]), lung (3.3 [CI, 2.8 to 3.9]), melanoma (2.6 [CI, 1.9 to 3.6]), oropharyngeal (2.6 [CI, 1.9 to 3.4]), leukemia (2.5 [CI, 1.6 to 3.8]), colorectal (2.3 [CI, 1.8 to 2.9]), and renal (1.8 [CI, 1.1 to 2.7]). The incidence of prostate cancer was significantly lower among HIV-infected persons than the general population (SRR, 0.6 [CI, 0.4 to 0.8]). Only the relative incidence of anal cancer increased over time. LIMITATIONS Lower ascertainment of cancer in the HIV cohorts may result in a potential bias to underestimate rate disparities. Tobacco use as a risk factor and the effect of changes in cancer screening practices could not be evaluated. CONCLUSION The incidence of many types of non-AIDS-defining cancer was higher among HIV-infected persons than among the general population from 1992 to 2003.

Estimating the proportion of HIV transmissions from main sex partners among men who have sex with men in five US cities.

Background:HIV incidence in the United States among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been increasing since 2000, and MSM remain the most heavily impacted risk group in the US HIV epidemic. Methods:We modeled HIV transmissions, using data from MSM in five US cities from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System, the HIVNET Vaccine Preparedness Study, and other published data. Annual HIV transmissions were estimated by partner type (main or casual) and by sex type (receptive anal intercourse, insertive anal intercourse, or oral sex). Results:Sixty-eight percent [95% confidence interval (CI) 58–78) of HIV transmissions were from main sex partners because of a higher number of sex acts with main partners, more frequent receptive roles in anal sex with main partners, and lower condom use during anal sex with main partners. By sex type, 69% (95% CI 59–79) of infections were from receptive anal intercourse, 28% (95% CI 19–38) were from insertive anal intercourse, and 2% (95% CI 0–5) were from oral sex. The model-based estimated HIV incidence rate was 2.2% (95% CI 1.7–2.7) per year. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated estimates of transmission from main sex partners as low as 52% (95% CI 41–62) and as high as 74% (95% CI 68–80). Conclusion:According to our model, most HIV transmissions among MSM in five US cities are from main sex partners. HIV prevention efforts should take into account the risks of HIV transmissions in male partnerships, and couples-based HIV prevention interventions for MSM should be given high priority in the US HIV prevention research portfolio.

Reemergence of the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men in North America, Western Europe, and Australia, 1996-2005.

PURPOSE To describe and contextualize changes in rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) notifications in men who have sex with men (MSM) in eight countries (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States) from 1996-2005. METHODS We analyzed trends in HIV notification rates from 1996-2000 and 2000-2005 by generalized linear regression and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in rates of HIV notifications. To interpret trends, we visually examined graphs of primary and secondary syphilis reports among MSM and the prevalence of recent HIV testing. RESULTS The rate of HIV notifications among MSM declined 5.2% per year (95% confidence interval [CI]: -5.8%, -4.7%) from 1996-2000, and increased 3.3% per year (95% CI: +2.9%,+3.7%) from 2000-2005. During the period of increasing HIV diagnoses, increases in primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses occurred among MSM, but recent HIV testing among MSM did not seem to increase. CONCLUSIONS After declining in the second half of the 1990s, HIV notification rates for MSM increased beginning in 2000. Increased HIV notifications in MSM are not wholly explained by changes in HIV testing. Urgent efforts are required to develop effective HIV prevention interventions for MSM, and implement them broadly in these countries.

Surveillance of HIV risk and prevention behaviors of men who have sex with men : A national application of venue-based, time-space sampling

In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, participating state and local health departments, universities, and community-based organizations applied venue-based, time-space sampling methods for the first wave of National HIV Behavioral Surveillance of men who have sex with men (NHBS-MSM). Conducted in 17 metropolitan areas in the United States and Puerto Rico from November 2003 through April 2005, NHBS-MSM methods included: (1) formative research to learn the venues, times, and methods to recruit MSM; (2) monthly sampling frames of eligible venues and day-time periods that met attendance, logistical, and safety criteria; and (3) recruitment of participants in accordance with randomly generated venue calendars. Participants were interviewed on HIV risk and prevention behaviors, referred to care when needed, and compensated for their time. By identifying the prevalence and trends of HIV risk and prevention behaviors, NHBS-MSM data may be used at local, state, and federal levels to help obtain, direct, and evaluate HIV prevention resources for MSM.

Successes and challenges of HIV prevention in men who have sex with men

Men who have sex with men (MSM) have been substantially affected by HIV epidemics worldwide. Epidemics in MSM are re-emerging in many high-income countries and gaining greater recognition in many low-income and middle-income countries. Better HIV prevention strategies are urgently needed. Our review of HIV prevention strategies for MSM identified several important themes. At the beginning of the epidemic, stand-alone behavioural interventions mostly aimed to reduce unprotected anal intercourse, which, although somewhat efficacious, did not reduce HIV transmission. Biomedical prevention strategies reduce the incidence of HIV infection. Delivery of barrier and biomedical interventions with coordinated behavioural and structural strategies could optimise the effectiveness of prevention. Modelling suggests that, with sufficient coverage, available interventions are sufficient to avert at least a quarter of new HIV infections in MSM in diverse countries. Scale-up of HIV prevention programmes for MSM is difficult because of homophobia and bias, suboptimum access to HIV testing and care, and financial constraints.

Behavioral Surveillance Among People at Risk for HIV Infection in the U.S.: The National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with 25 state and local health departments, began the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS) in 2003. The system focuses on people at risk for HIV infection and surveys the three populations at highest risk for HIV in the United States: men who have sex with men, injecting drug users, and high-risk heterosexuals. The project collects information from these three populations during rotating 12-month cycles. Methods for recruiting participants vary for each at-risk population, but NHBS uses a standardized protocol and core questionnaire for each cycle. Participating health departments tailor their questionnaire to collect information about specific prevention programs offered in their geographic area and to address local data needs. Data collected from NHBS will be used to describe trends in key behavioral risk indicators and evaluate current HIV prevention programs. This information in turn can be used to identify gaps in prevention services and target new prevention activities with the goal of reducing new HIV infections in the United States.

A call to action for comprehensive HIV services for men who have sex with men

Where surveillance has been done, it has shown that men (MSM) who have sex with men bear a disproportionate burden of HIV. Yet they continue to be excluded, sometimes systematically, from HIV services because of stigma, discrimination, and criminalisation. This situation must change if global control of the HIV epidemic is to be achieved. On both public health and human rights grounds, expansion of HIV prevention, treatment, and care to MSM is an urgent imperative. Effective combination prevention and treatment approaches are feasible, and culturally competent care can be developed, even in rights-challenged environments. Condom and lubricant access for MSM globally is highly cost effective. Antiretroviral-based prevention, and antiretroviral access for MSM globally, would also be cost effective, but would probably require substantial reductions in drug costs in high-income countries to be feasible. To address HIV in MSM will take continued research, political will, structural reform, community engagement, and strategic planning and programming, but it can and must be done.

A review of the literature on event-level substance use and sexual risk behavior among men who have sex with men.

In the United States, there continues to be high incidence of HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM), who represent 57% of new infections in 2009. While many studies report associations between non-injection substance use and sexual risk behavior among MSM, overall results are mixed. Summarizing these studies is difficult because researchers have used a variety of assessment periods for substance use and sexual behavior. We review the scientific literature on event-level measures, which assess substance use and sexual risk behavior immediately before or during a sexual encounter and provide the most precise link between these two behaviors. From January 2009 through March 2010, we searched four databases: Ovid (MEDLINE and PsycINFO), Web of Knowledge, and Sociofile. Across studies, results varied by substance with little within substance consistency or a lack of research except for two notable exceptions: methamphetamine and binge alcohol use. The findings underscore the importance of providing HIV risk-reduction interventions for substance-using MSM.ResumenEn los Estados Unidos, incidencia alta de la infección por VIH entre los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) sigue, y HSH representaron 57% de las infecciones nuevas en 2009. Estudios múltiples han demostrado que asociaciones existe entre el uso de drogas no inyectables y el comportamiento sexual riesgoso entre HSH. Estudios del uso de drogas y del comportamiento sexual han usado tres tipos de evaluacíon (global, circunstancial y nivel del acontecimiento) y han proporcionado resultados variados. Las medidas al nivel del acontecimiento sexual determinan uso de sustancias y comportamiento sexual riesgoso de inmediato antes de o durante el encuentro sexual. Se revsamos la literatura científica acerca de la conexión más precisa entre el uso de drogas y el comportamiento sexual riesgoso, lo cual es evaluacíon al nivel del acontecimiento. Desde enero de 2009 hasta marzo de 2010, buscamos en cuatro bases de datos repetidamente: Ovid (MEDLINE y PsycINFO), Web of Knowledge, y Sociofile. Resumimos la investigación cuantitativa acerca de nivel del acontecimiento, discutimos la consistencia de la evidencia, y recomendamos las direcciones para las investigaciónes futuras. Los resultados subrayan la importancia de proporcionar las intervenciones para la reducción del riesgo por el VIH para HSH que usan drogas.

The increase in global HIV epidemics in MSM

Epidemics of HIV in MSM continue to expand in most low, middle, and upper income countries in 2013 and rates of new infection have been consistently high among young MSM. Current prevention and treatment strategies are insufficient for this next wave of HIV spread. We conducted a series of comprehensive reviews of HIV prevalence and incidence, risks for HIV, prevention and care, stigma and discrimination, and policy and advocacy options. The high per act transmission probability of receptive anal intercourse, sex role versatility among MSM, network level effects, and social and structural determinants play central roles in disproportionate disease burdens. HIV can be transmitted through large MSM networks at great speed. Molecular epidemiologic data show marked clustering of HIV in MSM networks, and high proportions of infections due to transmission from recent infections. Prevention strategies that lower biological risks, including those using antiretrovirals, offer promise for epidemic control, but are limited by structural factors including, discrimination, criminalization, and barriers to healthcare. Subepidemics, including among racial and ethnic minority MSM in the United States and UK, are particularly severe and will require culturally tailored efforts. For the promise of new and combined bio-behavioral interventions to be realized, clinically competent healthcare is necessary and community leadership, engagement, and empowerment are likely to be key. Addressing the expanding epidemics of HIV in MSM will require continued research, increased resources, political will, policy change, structural reform, community engagement, and strategic planning and programming, but it can and must be done.

Developing an HIV Behavioral Surveillance System for Injecting Drug Users: The National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System

While disease surveillance for HIV/AIDS is now widely conducted in the United States, effective HIV prevention programs rely primarily on changing behavior; therefore, behavioral data are needed to inform these programs. To achieve the goal of reducing HIV infections in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in cooperation with state and local health departments, implemented the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS) for injecting drug users (IDUs) in 25 selected metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) throughout the United States in 2005. The surveillance system used respondent-driven sampling (RDS), a modified chain-referral method, to recruit IDUs for a survey measuring HIV-associated drug use and sexual risk behavior. RDS can produce population estimates for specific risk behaviors and demographic characteristics. Formative assessment activities—primarily the collection of qualitative data—provided information to better understand the IDU population and implement the surveillance activities in each city. This is the first behavioral surveillance system of its kind in the U.S. that will provide local and national data on risk for HIV and other blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections among IDUs for monitoring changes in the epidemic and prevention programs.