Association between systemic inflammation and obstructive sleep apnea in men with or at risk for HIV infection.

Background: We sought to determine whether markers of systemic inflammation are associated with the presence of moderate/severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and whether this association differs based on HIV and HIV treatment status.

Methods: HIV-uninfected men (HIV-; n=60), HIV-infected men receiving HAART (HIV+/HAART; n=58) and HIV-infected men not receiving HAART (HIV+/no HAART; n=41) underwent polysomnograpy and measurement of plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, soluble TNF-α receptors I and II (sTNFRI and sTNFRII) and interleukin (IL)-6. The relationship between moderate/severe OSA (respiratory disturbance index ≥15 apnea/hypopnea events/h) and inflammatory markers was assessed with multivariable regression models.

Anthropometry in the prediction of sleep disordered breathing in HIV-positive and HIV-negative men.

Background: Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and neck circumference (NC) are important screening tools for sleep disordered breathing (SDB); however, the utility of anthropometry for this purpose has not been evaluated among HIV-positive patients.

Methods: HIV-negative men (n=60), HIV-positive men receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HIV-positive/HAART; n=58) and HIV-positive men not receiving HAART (HIV-positive/no HAART; n=41) from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study underwent a nocturnal sleep study and anthropomorphic assessment. Moderate-severe SDB was defined as an apnea/hypopnea event rate > or =15 episodes/h.

Smoking enhances risk for new external genital warts in men.

Repeat episodes of HPV-related external genital warts reflect recurring or new infections. No study before has been sufficiently powered to delineate how tobacco use, prior history of EGWs and HIV infection affect the risk for new EGWs. Behavioral, laboratory and examination data for 2,835 Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study participants examined at 21,519 semi-annual visits were evaluated.

Anal cancer screening behaviors and intentions in men who have sex with men.

Background: The incidence of anal cancer has increased in the past decade, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM) and HIV-infected individuals. There is controversy about whether to routinely screen for anal cancer in MSM.

Objectives: To determine whether current anal cancer screening behaviors, intention, and concern differ by HIV serostatus and to identify characteristics of men who intend to seek anal cancer screening.