Chemsex drugs on the rise: a longitudinal analysis of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study from 2007 to 2017.
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_4A3CD01CDD1D
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Chemsex drugs on the rise: a longitudinal analysis of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study from 2007 to 2017.
Journal
HIV medicine
Working group(s)
Swiss HIV Cohort Study group
Contributor(s)
Anagnostopoulos A., Battegay M., Bucher H.C., Calmy A., Cavassini M., Ciuffi A., Dollenmaier G., Egger M., Elzi L., Fellay J., Furrer H., Fux C.A., Haerry D., Hasse B., Hirsch H.H., Hoffmann M., Hösli I., Huber M., Kahlert C., Kaiser L., Keiser O., Klimkait T., Kovari H., Ledergerber B., Martinetti G., Martinez de Tejada B., Marzolini C., Metzner K.J., Müller N., Paioni P., Pantaleo G., Perreau M., Rudin C., Scherrer A.U., Schmid P., Speck R., Tarr P., Trkola A., Vernazza P., Wandeler G., Weber R., Yerly S.
ISSN
1468-1293 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1464-2662
Publication state
Published
Issued date
04/2020
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
21
Number
4
Pages
228-239
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Chemsex refers to the use of sex-enhancing drugs among men who have sex with men (MSM) in combination with specific sexual and social behaviours. Longitudinal data on this development and the associated health risks are scarce.
Data on all recreational drugs reported in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) from 2007 to 2017 were collected. Drug use was analysed longitudinally for all drug classes. In addition, potential associations between patient characteristics and the consumption of methamphetamine, γ-hydroxybutric acid/γ-butyrolactone (GHB/GBL), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA/XTC), cocaine and amphetamine were analysed.
We analysed 166 167 follow-up entries for 12 527 SHCS participants, including 7101 free text field entries containing information about recreational drugs other than cannabis, cocaine and heroin. Overall, we observed a stable percentage (9.0%) of recreational drug use (excluding cannabis, amyl nitrite and prescription drugs). For MSM, however, there was an increase in overall drug use from 8.8% in 2007 to 13.8% in 2017, with particularly large increases for methamphetamine (from 0.2 to 2.4%; P < 0.001) and GHB/GBL (from 1.0 to 3.4%; P < 0.001). The use of each of the potentially sex-enhancing drugs methamphetamine, GHB/GBL, cocaine, XTC/MDMA and amphetamine was significantly associated with condomless sex with nonsteady partners, and higher prevalences of depression, syphilis and hepatitis C.
The significant increase in the use of chemsex drugs among MSM in the SHCS and the strong association with coinfections and depression highlights the need for harm reduction programmes tailored to MSM. According to our results, improving knowledge about recreational drugs is important for all health care professionals working with people living with HIV.
Data on all recreational drugs reported in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) from 2007 to 2017 were collected. Drug use was analysed longitudinally for all drug classes. In addition, potential associations between patient characteristics and the consumption of methamphetamine, γ-hydroxybutric acid/γ-butyrolactone (GHB/GBL), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA/XTC), cocaine and amphetamine were analysed.
We analysed 166 167 follow-up entries for 12 527 SHCS participants, including 7101 free text field entries containing information about recreational drugs other than cannabis, cocaine and heroin. Overall, we observed a stable percentage (9.0%) of recreational drug use (excluding cannabis, amyl nitrite and prescription drugs). For MSM, however, there was an increase in overall drug use from 8.8% in 2007 to 13.8% in 2017, with particularly large increases for methamphetamine (from 0.2 to 2.4%; P < 0.001) and GHB/GBL (from 1.0 to 3.4%; P < 0.001). The use of each of the potentially sex-enhancing drugs methamphetamine, GHB/GBL, cocaine, XTC/MDMA and amphetamine was significantly associated with condomless sex with nonsteady partners, and higher prevalences of depression, syphilis and hepatitis C.
The significant increase in the use of chemsex drugs among MSM in the SHCS and the strong association with coinfections and depression highlights the need for harm reduction programmes tailored to MSM. According to our results, improving knowledge about recreational drugs is important for all health care professionals working with people living with HIV.
Keywords
Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, HIV Infections/epidemiology, HIV Infections/psychology, Homosexuality, Male/psychology, Humans, Illicit Drugs/classification, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Recreational Drug Use/psychology, Recreational Drug Use/statistics & numerical data, Sexual Behavior/psychology, Switzerland/epidemiology, HIV, chemsex, men who have sex with men, recreational drug use
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
19/12/2019 12:24
Last modification date
09/03/2024 8:09
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