International Journal of STD & AIDS > Volume 18, Number 12 > Pp. 799-809

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Review

Genital ulcerative disease and sexually transmitted urethritis and circumcision: a meta-analysis

Robert S Van Howe

Department of Pediatrics, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Marquette, MI, USA

The objective of the study was to determine the relationship of circumcision status to the risk for genital ulcerative disease (GUD) and sexually transmitted urethritis. A MEDLINE search and a review of references in published articles identified studies addressing the risk of sexually transmitted urethritis or GUD based on circumcision status. Meta-analyses, sensitivity analysis, and exploration for publication bias were performed. Thirty articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The data from one study were published twice. GUD showed a trend towards being more common in genitally intact men (random-effects summary odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.98–1.82). When comparing men with GUD to men with 'genital discharge syndrome' (GDS), genitally intact men were more likely to have GUD (OR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.70–3.15). There was no difference in the risk for chancroid based on circumcision status (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.40–2.05), gonorrhoea (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.82–1.29), or Chlamydia trachomatis infections (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.32–1.19). Genitally intact men were less likely to be diagnosed with 'GDS' (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.67–1.01) or non-specific urethritis (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.64–1.01). Adjustment for publication bias in the literature that applies to chlamydial infections gave a summary OR of 0.46 (95% CI = 0.22–0.97). Significant between-study heterogeneity was a consistent finding. In conclusion, genitally intact men may be at greater risk for GUD, whereas circumcised men may be at greater risk for acquiring sexually transmitted urethritis in general, but there is no statistically significant difference in risk of gonococcal infection. Significant between-study heterogeneity and evidence of publication bias exclude the possibility of reaching a definitive conclusion regarding the association of circumcision status and these sexually transmitted infections.

Key Words: CIRCUMCISION • GENITAL ULCERATIVE DISEASE • GENITAL DISCHARGE SYNDROME • CHANCROID • META-ANALYSIS • GONORRHOEA • CHLAMYDIAL INFECTIONS

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