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.

OBJECTIVES

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise, mainly among men having sex with men (MSM).

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

STUDY

DESIGN

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.