CLINICAL RESEARCH UPDATE

by Carolyn Chu, MD, MSc, AAHIVS, AAHIVM Chief Medical Officer

September 24, 2024


Featured Literature:

Garneau WM, Jones JL, Dashler GM, et al.  Differences in mpox evaluation by clinical care site: practice patterns across an academic medical system during the 2022 epidemic.  Open Forum Inf Dis.  2024 Sep 18.  Online before print.  https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofae512.

In this retrospective observational analysis, investigators sought to compare mpox evaluation patterns across different care settings in a single academic health system.  Primary composite outcome was documented elements of CDC recommendations: (a) anogenital exam, (b) sexual history, and (c) comprehensive STI testing (gonorrhea and chlamydia, syphilis, and/or HIV screening).  276 patients with mpox testing or treatment were included for analysis: mean age was 41.2 years, 66.3% were male at birth, and 23.9% were living with HIV.  50.7% identified as heterosexual, 29.7% gay, and 7.2% bisexual.  Over one-third were privately insured (37.3%) or covered by Medicaid (35.9%). 62.7% were evaluated in emergency departments, 18.8% in primary care clinics (this included adult internal medicine, pediatrics, OB-GYN, dermatology or other ambulatory care), and 18.5% in an infectious disease/sexual health clinic.  26.4% of mpox tests performed were positive, with highest positivity in the ID/sexual health setting (51.0%). Sexual history was documented in 98.0% of ID/sexual health encounters compared to 80.8% of primary care and 68.8% of emergency department encounters (p < 0.001). Anogenital exam frequency also differed: 82.4% (ID/sexual health), 40.4% (primary care), and 44.5% (emergency department) (p < 0.001).  Comprehensive STI testing was performed in 80.4% of ID/sexual health visits compared to 38.5% and 53.8% of primary care and emergency department visits, respectively (p < 0.001). Among patients with positive mpox testing, STI coinfection prevalence was 20.4% (syphilis was most common). Cisgender MSM and transgender persons (as a group) had greater odds of completing the composite outcome (aOR 4.03) compared to cisgender females.

Author’s Commentary:

This analysis describes consistent variability in clinical evaluation patterns and adherence to CDC recommendations by setting of care for patients undergoing evaluation for potential mpox infection within a single large academic health system.  Providers were also more likely to adhere to clinical recommendations for certain patient populations, i.e. MSM and transgender persons.  Given the high prevalence of STI co-infection (particularly syphilis), these findings highlight important opportunities to increase provider awareness and training to ensure delivery of guideline concordant care across all populations, decrease disparities in care delivery and outcomes, and increase STI screening and treatment.   

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