Evidence map›Paper›PMID 15572625›Full record

ArticleSexually transmitted infections2004

Lessons from the syphilis outbreak in homosexual men in east London.

M Hourihan, H Wheeler, R Houghton, B T Goh

Open access · bronzeAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Sexually transmitted infections, 2004. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
1.1field-weighted citation impact, top 22% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 34 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. An outbreak of syphilis in Darkhan-Uul, Mongolia, January to March 2012.Western Pacific surveillance and response journal : WPSAR · 2012
    Article
  5. Laboratory diagnosis of syphilis with automated immunoassays.Journal of clinical laboratory analysis · 2009
    Article
  6. Biological basis for syphilis.Clinical microbiology reviews · 2006
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

M HourihanAmbrose King Centre, Barts and the London NHS Trust, Whitechapel, London E1 1BB, UK. martin.hourihan@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk
H Wheeler
R Houghton
B T Goh
Barts Health NHS Trust · GB

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo describe the epidemiology, presentation, and diagnosis of early syphilis in 103 homosexual men in east London.

methodsA retrospective study using data from KC60 returns, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) enhanced surveillance forms and case notes.

results40 cases of primary (PS), 40 of secondary (SS) and 23 of early latent syphilis were identified, 33% co-infected with HIV. 41% had concurrent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Pain featured in 35% of PS and itch in 13% of rashes. Dark ground microscopy (DGM), performed in 44 of the symptomatic cases, was positive in 37 (84%) allowing early management. Initial syphilis serology was negative in 15/40 (37%) cases of PS. 51% and 49% opted for parenteral and oral treatment, respectively. In 53/103 (51%) cases oral sex was the only risk factor. 86% of infections were UK acquired. Only 4% of contacts were seen.

conclusionThis outbreak, reflecting the resurgence of syphilis across the United Kingdom, highlights several important points. Painful chancres and itchy rash are common presentations. DGM is a highly sensitive diagnostic tool. Initial negative serological screening tests are common in PS and sero-surveillance for 3 months is recommended. The high prevalence of concomitant STIs indicates ongoing unprotected sexual intercourse. Oral sex is a significant risk factor and is a distinctly "unsafe" practice. Conventional partner notification is ineffective. Other methods of screening of the at-risk homosexual population are warranted. Continued education is required to reduce STI acquisition in homosexual men.

Indexed as

Disease OutbreaksAdolescentAdultHomosexuality, MaleHumansLondonMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesRisk FactorsSyphilisUnsafe Sex

Identifiers

PMID15572625
PMCPMC1744940
OpenAlexW2103135592

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.