Sexually transmitted infections in HIV-infected people in Switzerland: cross-sectional study.

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) in HIV-infected people are of increasing concern. We estimated STI prevalence and sexual healthcare seeking behaviour in 224 sexually active HIV-infected people, including men who have sex with men (MSM, n = 112), heterosexual men (n = 65) and women (n = 47). Laboratory-diagnosed bacterial STI were more common in MSM (Chlamydia trachomatis 10.

Is environmental temperature related to renal symptoms, serum lithium levels, and other laboratory test results in current lithium users?

Objective: Lithium continues to be an important mood disorder treatment. Although patients exposed to higher environmental temperatures may have serum lithium level elevations due to dehydration, there is conflicting data in the literature. In addition, no study has assessed the association between temperature and other renal laboratory tests and symptoms in lithium users.

Association Between Childhood Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence.

We examined the association between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and disruptive behavior disorders in 605 children participating in a population-based cohort study. Nineteen percent of children snored (sometimes or often) and 10% had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms. Thirteen percent had an ADHD diagnosis or symptoms and 5-9% had behavioral problems or a conduct disorder.

Cohort Profile: The Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) Study.

The Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) study is a prospective cohort investigation of 1294 students recruited in 1999-2000 from all grade 7 classes in a convenience sample of 10 high schools in Montreal, Canada. Its primary objectives were to study the natural course and determinants of cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence in novice smokers. The main source of data was self-report questionnaires administered in class at school every 3 months from grade 7 to grade 11 (1999-2005), for a total of 20 survey cycles during high school education.

The McGill Geriatric Lithium-Induced Diabetes Insipidus Clinical Study (McGLIDICS).

Objective: Despite being a common and potentially serious condition, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) remains poorly understood in older lithium users. Our main objective was to compare the prevalence of NDI symptoms and decreased urine osmolality ([UOsm] < 300 milli-Osmoles [mOsm/kg]) among geriatric and adult lithium users. We also assessed NDI symptoms, serum sodium (Na+), and urine specific gravity (USG) as possible surrogate measures of decreased UOsm, and ascertained whether potential etiologic factors independently correlated with decreased UOsm.

An unusual complication of PEG feeding after pancreatico-gastrostomy.

Context: We describe a late complication of the pancreatico-gastrostomy (PG) anastomosis following pancreatico-duodenectomy (PD).

Case Report: A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tube was inserted many months post-operatively. In this patient activated pancreatic enzymes eroded the gastrostomy tract, resulting in pain, recurrent infection and eventual removal of the gastrostomy tube.

Total pancreatectomy for the treatment of pancreatic neoplasms.

Background: Total pancreatectomy (TP) is an operation that has long been associated with high morbidity and mortality, and rarely advocated for treatment of pancreatic tumours. Because of the improvements in diabetes management, there has been renewed interest in TP for treatment of pancreatic neoplasm, with a need to reassess outcomes.

Methods: Fifteen patients (9%) underwent TP in a single Australian high-volume tertiary institution between August 2005 and January 2012.

Measurement invariance of the depressive symptoms scale during adolescence.

Background: This study examined (1) the factor structure of a depressive symptoms scale (DSS), (2) the sex and longitudinal invariance of the DSS, and (3) the predictive validity of the DSS scale during adolescence in terms of predicting depression and anxiety symptoms in early adulthood.

Methods: Data were drawn from the Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) study, an ongoing prospective cohort study of 1,293 adolescents.

Results: The analytical sample included 527 participants who provided complete data or had minimal missing data over follow-up.

Toward global prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs): the need for STI vaccines.

An estimated 499 million curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs; gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and trichomoniasis) occurred globally in 2008. In addition, well over 500 million people are estimated to have a viral STI such as herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) or human papillomavirus (HPV) at any point in time. STIs result in a large global burden of sexual, reproductive, and maternal-child health consequences, including genital symptoms, pregnancy complications, cancer, infertility, and enhanced HIV transmission, as well as important psychosocial consequences and financial costs.

The importance of partnership factors and individual factors associated with absent or inconsistent condom use in heterosexuals: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Decisions to use condoms are made within partnerships. We examined the associations between inconsistent or no condom use and individual and partnership characteristics. We also examined the relative importance of individual versus partnership factors.

Chlamydia prevalence in young attenders of rural and regional primary care services in Australia: a cross-sectional survey.

Objective: To estimate chlamydia prevalence among 16-29-year-olds attending general practice clinics in Australia.

Design, Participants And Setting: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May 2010 to December 2012. Sexually experienced 16-29-year-olds were recruited from 134 general practice clinics in 54 rural and regional towns in four states and in nine metropolitan clinics (consecutive patients were invited to participate).

Molecular diagnostics for gonorrhoea: implications for antimicrobial resistance and the threat of untreatable gonorrhoea.

This Essay from Nicola Low and colleagues discusses the importance of the nucleic acid amplification tests for rapid detection of N. gonorrhoeae and its resistance determinants, as well as the importance of ensuring their rational use, as priorities for controlling both gonorrhoea and antimicrobial resistance.

Reinfection by untreated partners of people treated for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae: mathematical modelling study.

Objectives: Reinfection after treatment for Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae reduces the effect of control interventions. We explored the impact of delays in treatment of current partners on the expected probability of reinfection of index cases using a mathematical model.

Methods: We used previously reported parameter distributions to calculate the probability that index cases would be reinfected by their untreated partners.

Valuing the health states associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infections and their sequelae: a systematic review of economic evaluations and primary studies.

Objectives: Economic evaluations of interventions to prevent and control sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis are increasingly required to present their outcomes in terms of quality-adjusted life-years using preference-based measurements of relevant health states. The objectives of this study were to critically evaluate how published cost-effectiveness studies have conceptualized and valued health states associated with chlamydia and to examine the primary evidence available to inform health state utility values (HSUVs).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted, with searches of six electronic databases up to December 2012.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of traditional and new partner notification technologies for curable sexually transmitted infections: observational study, systematic reviews and mathematical modelling.

Background: Partner notification is essential to the comprehensive case management of sexually transmitted infections. Systematic reviews and mathematical modelling can be used to synthesise information about the effects of new interventions to enhance the outcomes of partner notification.

Objective: To study the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of traditional and new partner notification technologies for curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Sustained waterpipe use among young adults.

Introduction: Waterpipe smoking is increasingly popular among North American youth. However, the extent to which waterpipe use is sustained over time is not known. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency and the predictors of sustained waterpipe use over 4 years among young adults.

Symptoms of depression are longitudinally associated with sedentary behaviors among young men but not among young women.

Objective: A habitual sedentary lifestyle is associated with adverse health outcomes; however, the predictors of sedentary behaviors have not been sufficiently explored to inform the development and delivery of effective interventions to reduce sedentary behaviors. This study examined whether reports of symptoms of depression could predict weekly time spent in sedentary behaviors (i.e.

Comparing Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine schedules: a systematic review and meta-analysis of vaccine trials.

Background: The optimal schedule and the need for a booster dose are unclear for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines. We systematically reviewed relative effects of Hib vaccine schedules.

Methods: We searched 21 databases to May 2010 or June 2012 and selected randomized controlled trials or quasi-randomized controlled trials that compared different Hib schedules (3 primary doses with no booster dose [3p+0], 3p+1 and 2p+1) or different intervals in primary schedules and between primary and booster schedules.

The association between CHRN genetic variants and dizziness at first inhalation of cigarette smoke.

Numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in multiple nicotinic receptor genes (CHRN) are associated with smoking. However few studies have examined the association between CHRN SNPs and subjective responses to smoking in adolescents which may relate to sustained smoking, such as dizziness at first inhalation. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between 61 SNPs in eight CHRN genes (CHRNA3, CHRNA4, CHRNA5, CHRNA6, CHRNA7, CHRNB2, CHRNB3, CHRNB4) and dizziness at first inhalation.

Strategies for partner notification for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Background: Partner notification (PN) is the process whereby sexual partners of an index patient are informed of their exposure to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and the need to obtain treatment. For the person (index patient) with a curable STI, PN aims to eradicate infection and prevent re-infection. For sexual partners, PN aims to identify and treat undiagnosed STIs.

Direct and indirect effects of screening for Chlamydia trachomatis on the prevention of pelvic inflammatory disease: a mathematical modeling study.

Background: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) results from the ascending spread of microorganisms, including Chlamydia trachomatis, to the upper genital tract. Screening could improve outcomes by identifying and treating chlamydial infections before they progress to PID (direct effect) or by reducing chlamydia transmission (indirect effect).

Methods: We developed a compartmental model that represents a hypothetical heterosexual population and explicitly incorporates progression from chlamydia to clinical PID.

Social factors associated with readiness for sexual activity in adolescents: a population-based cohort study.

Various factors are associated with sexual activity in adolescence and it is important to identify those that promote healthy and adaptive romantic and sexual development. The objectives of this study were to describe rates of early sexual intercourse (before 16 years) and sexual readiness in adolescence and to assess the extent to which these were social patterned. We prospectively studied nearly 5,000 15-year-olds from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a UK birth cohort.

Heterogeneity of Depressive Symptom Trajectories through Adolescence: Predicting Outcomes in Young Adulthood.

Objective: This study describes developmental trajectories of depressive symptoms in adolescents and examines the association between trajectory group and mental health outcomes in young adulthood.

Methods: Depressive symptoms were self-reported every three months from grade seven through grade 11 by 1293 adolescents in the Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) study and followed in young adulthood (average age 20.4, SD=0.