O1-S10.04 Lifestyle as marker of Hepatitis C infection in HIV infected MSM in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Authors: Matser A , Geskus R , Heijman T , Urbanus A , Prins J , de Vries H , Prins M , van der Loeff M S 
Published: July 2011

Background

Since 2000, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, associated with high risk sexual behaviour, has emerged as an STI among HIV infected MSM. We aimed to identify individual and network-related factors associated with HCV infection among HIV infected MSM.

Methods

The study population was recruited at the STI outpatient clinic of the public health service and the HIV Treatment Centre of the Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Inclusion criteria were male gender, having had sexual contact with men in the previous 6 months, age ≥18 years, and understanding of written Dutch or English. Recruitment occurred from July 2008 to August 2009. Participants were screened for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and hepatitis B. HIV testing was done using an opting-out strategy and HIV infected MSM were tested for the presence of HCV antibodies. Participants completed a questionnaire including demographics and detailed questions about sexual behaviour in self-defined relationships with a steady partner and the most recent three other partners within the previous 6 months. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with HCV infection.

Results

850 HIV infected MSM reporting 2290 relationships were included in the study, of whom 108 were HCV antibody positive (overall prevalence 12.7%). MSM who reported a history of injecting drug use (n=3) were excluded. In multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for HCV infection were unprotected receptive anal intercourse (OR 1.60 95% CI 1.00% to 2.57%) and reporting group sex (OR 1.85 95% CI 1.09% to 3.15%). Drug use (ie, XTC, GHB, or ketamine) was also associated with HCV (OR 2.28 95% CI 1.33% to 3.92%). There was significant interaction between fisting and self-described lifestyle type of MSM: the OR of non-fisting, leather/rubber/lycra type MSM was 4.22 (95% CI 2.22% to 8.00%); the OR of fisting non-leather/rubber/lycra type was 2.01 (95% CI 1.00% to 4.04%); and the OR of fisting leather/rubber/lycra type was 2.71 (95% CI 1.37% to 5.37%), all compared to the reference group of non-fisting, non-leather/rubber/lycra see Abstract O1-S10.04 table 1.

Abstract O1-S10.04 Table 1

Independent risk factors for HCV infection among 847 HIV infected MSM in Amsterdam

HCV prevalenceOR (95% CI)pAdjusted OR (95% CI)pNon-fisting, non-leather/rubber/lycra type40/566 (7.1%)Ref.<0.001Ref.<0.001Non-fisting, leather/rubber/lycra type25/99 (25.3%)4.44 (2.55 to 7.74)4.22 (2.22 to 8.00)Fisting, non- leather/rubber/lycra type18/95 (19.0%)3.07 (1.68 to 5.63)2.01 (1.00 to 4.04)Fisting, leather/rubber/lycra type24/87 (27.6%)5.01 (2.83 to 8.85)2.71 (1.37 to 5.37)Drug use (XTC, GHB, ketamine)73 / 333 (21.9%)3.96 (2.57 to 6.12)<0.0012.28 (1.33 to 3.92)0.002Receptive unprotected anal intercourse58 / 277 (21.0%)2.47 (1.62 to 3.77)<0.0011.60 (1.00 to 2.57)0.048Group sex70 / 339 (20.7%)3.31 (2.16 to 5.07)<0.0011.85 (1.09 to 3.15)0.022Syphilis coinfection7/28 (25.0%)2.02 (0.83 to 4.88)0.1412.83 (1.01 to 7.91)0.046

Conclusions

Among HIV infected MSM in Amsterdam, HCV infection is associated with high risk sexual behaviour. HCV was common in identifiable risk groups of self-described 'leather' and 'rubber/lycra' type MSM. Ways should be sought to focus increased prevention efforts on these high risk groups.