Recent Change in the Annual Pattern of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the United States

Abstract

This study analyzed the 1999 to 2003 database of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for seasonal and longer-term time trends in the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in the United States. Linear regression was used to ascertain time trends, and a linear mixed auto-regression model was applied to determine the statistical significance of the major peaks relative to the annualized time series mean. A statistically significant increasing trend during the 5 yr span was documented only in the incidence of chlamydia. No clear annual periodicity was detected in any of the STDs; instead, significant three-month cycles were documented in all the STDs, with prominent peaks evident in March, May, August, and November. The March and May peaks could be associated with the sexual activities of young adults during spring break, which for different colleges and universities, commences as early as mid- to late-February and concludes as late as early- to mid-April, when huge numbers of sexually active youth congregate at beach resort settings. We propose the August peak is representative of summer sexual activity, in particular, of youths during school recess when adult supervision is poor. Finally, the autumn peak seems to be an expression of an endogenous annual rhythm in human reproductive biology, exemplified by elevated levels of testosterone in young males and sexual activity at this time of the year.

An analysis of underlying factors for seasonal variation in gonorrhoea in India: A 6-year statistical assessment

“…Sexual norms and behaviour have become much more relaxed and permissive, and the proportion of sexually active unmarried young persons has increased since then. [6,[23][24][25] Thus, it is plausible that the nature of the temporal pattern in the occurrence of STDs during the year today might be different from what was reported several decades ago, when the social gathering of young males and females in the spring and summer was less extensive and when sexual behaviour was less permissive. [6] First study relating to seasonal variations in the incidence of gonorrhoea was in Britain and United States in the 1970's describing a peak in the third quarter of the year and a trough in the first quarter and fourth quarter.…”

“…[6,[23][24][25] Thus, it is plausible that the nature of the temporal pattern in the occurrence of STDs during the year today might be different from what was reported several decades ago, when the social gathering of young males and females in the spring and summer was less extensive and when sexual behaviour was less permissive. [6] First study relating to seasonal variations in the incidence of gonorrhoea was in Britain and United States in the 1970's describing a peak in the third quarter of the year and a trough in the first quarter and fourth quarter. [10,12] Seasonal trends were later observed between 1984 and 1989 in Scotland and in the lothian region reporting a peak in the first and third quarter of the year for Scotland but no regular trends in Lothian region.…”

“…A seasonal pattern may appear as a tight cluster of isolated outbreaks that occurred during a relatively short time measures or changes in sexual norms and the behaviour of the host or holidays such as Christmas, annual holidays for school or others. [6,16] To develop efficient strategies for disease prevention and control, there is a need to evaluate the main determinants of seasonal fluctuations in diseases patterns.…”

Do Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep (PLMS) Play a Role in Nocturnal Hypertension and Increased Cardiovascular Risk of Renally Impaired Patients?

“…Chronomedicine is the study of the chronobiology of health and disease and the translation of applicable findings to clinical medicine (Portaluppi, 2007). In the past few years, in particular, a chronobiological approach has been extensively used in medical research, leading to a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and features of many medical conditions and public health problems (Burioka et al, 2008;Colognesi et al, 2007;Kawahara et al, 2008;Lee et al, 2008;Leibowitz et al, 2007;Leiza et al, 2007;Lin et al, 2008;Mbanu et al, 2007;Ohkura et al, 2007;Perez-Lloret et al, 2008;Sadick et al, 2007;Sallinen et al, 2008;Shah et al, 2007;Tsai et al, 2007) as well as greater insight of therapeutic issues (Boulamery et al, 2007;Bruguerolle, 2008;Coudert et al, 2008;Dispersyn et al, 2008;Dridi et al, 2008;Hermida, 2007;Hermida et al, 2007bHermida et al, , 2008Prados et al, 2007;Smolensky et al, 2007;Tsuruoka et al, 2008).…”

Scaling up syphilis testing in China: implementation beyond the clinic

“…This is also supported by recurrent seasonal patterns in reported syphilis cases. 25 Seasonal changes in reported STI cases have been noted elsewhere, 26,27 but very few programmes have taken advantage of these temporal changes.…”