Patients with sexually transmitted disease: a well-defined HIV risk group in general practice?

Since patients with sexually transmitted disease (STD) form the most apparent risk group for HIV infection in general practice, differences in sexual behaviour in patients with and without STD were studied. Patients fulfilling at least one of four clinical criteria for suspicion of STD were offered four microbiological tests and a serological HIV test and were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning possible HIV exposure. Control patients were selected from a sample of ordinary consulting patients in general practice, without clinical suspicion of STD.