Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing for People with HIV

Percentage of patients 13 years of age and older with a diagnosis of HIV who had tests for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia performed within the measurement period

This measure was developed by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). It is in the public domain.
 
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The rates of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia cases per 100,000 in the United States have steadily risen over the last decade and increased 11.2 percent, 5.9 percent, and 2.8 percent, respectively, from 2018 to 2019 (DHHS, 2021). People with HIV are at an increased risk of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2004). However, early detection and treatment of bacterial STIs in people with HIV can lead to a reduction in HIV transmission (CDC, 2004). Despite guidelines for at least annual screening among sexually active persons with HIV, only an estimated 55 percent received a syphilis test in the past year, 23 percent received a gonorrhea test in the past year, and 24 percent received a chlamydia test in the past year based on a nationally-representative survey of adults with HIV receiving medical care in the United States (Flagg et al., 2015). This measure will help providers focus their attention and quality improvement efforts towards testing and treating sexually transmitted infections in patients with HIV, thus reducing the complications to long-term syphilis infection and reducing STI incidence (Patel et al., 2012).

"Routine serologic screening for syphilis is recommended at least annually for all persons with HIV infection who are sexually active, with more frequent screening (i.e., every 3-6 months) for those who have multiple or anonymous partners" (Panel on Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV, 2022, p. Y-3).

"Patients undergoing screening or treatment for syphilis also should be evaluated for other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea at anatomic sites of exposure in men and for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomonas in women" (Panel on Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV, 2022, p. Y-3).

"The [United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)] recommends screening for syphilis in persons who are at increased risk for infection. When deciding which persons to screen for syphilis, clinicians should consider the prevalence of infection in the communities they serve, as well as other sociodemographic and behavioral factors that may be associated with increased risk of syphilis infection. For example, prevalence of syphilis is higher in men, men who have sex with men, persons with HIV infection, young adults, and persons with a history of incarceration, sex work, or military service…. Optimal screening frequency for persons who are at increased risk for syphilis infection is not well established. Men who have sex with men or persons with HIV infection may benefit from screening at least annually or more frequently (e.g., every 3 to 6 months) if they continue to be at high risk" (USPSTF, 2022, p. 1244-1246).

"At the initial HIV care visit, providers should screen all sexually active persons for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, and perform screening for these infections at least annually during the course of HIV care. Specific testing includes syphilis serology and [a nucleic acid amplification test] NAAT for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis at the anatomic site of exposure" (Workowski et al., 2021, p. 26).

Higher score equals better quality

Reference Type: CITATION

Reference Text: 'Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Institutes of Health, HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, & HIV Prevention in Clinical Care Working Group. (2004). Recommendations for incorporating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention into the medical care of persons living with HIV. Clinical infectious diseases: an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 38(1), 104-121. https://doi.org/10.1086/380131'

Reference Type: CITATION

Reference Text: 'Flagg, E. W., Weinstock, H. S., Frazier, E. L., Valverde, E. E., Heffelfinger, J. D., & Skarbinski, J. (2015). Bacterial sexually transmitted infections among HIV-infected patients in the United States: Estimates from the Medical Monitoring Project. Sexually transmitted diseases, 42(4), 171-179. https://doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000260. Erratum in: Sex Transm Dis. 2015 Jun;42(6):351-2. PMID: 25763669; PMCID: PMC6921480'

Reference Type: CITATION

Reference Text: 'Panel on Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV. (2022, July). Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections in adults and adolescents with HIV: Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Retrieved from https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/hiv-clinical-guidelines-adult-and-adolescent-opportunistic-infections/syphilis?view=full'

Reference Type: CITATION

Reference Text: 'Patel, P., Bush, T., Mayer, K., Milam, J., Richardson, J., Hammer, J., … SUN Study Investigators. (2012). Routine brief risk-reduction counseling with biannual STD testing reduces STD incidence among HIV-infected men who have sex with men in care. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 39(6), 470-474. https://doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0b013e31824b3110'

Reference Type: CITATION

Reference Text: 'US Preventive Services Task Force, Mangione, C. M., Barry, M. J., Nicholson, W. K., Cabana, M., Chelmow, D., ... Wong, J. B. (2022). Screening for syphilis infection in nonpregnant adolescents and adults: US Preventive Services Task Force reaffirmation recommendation statement. JAMA, 328(12), 1243-1249. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.15322'

Reference Type: CITATION

Reference Text: 'Workowski, K. A., Bachmann, L. H., Chan, P. A., Johnston, C. M., Muzny, C. A., Park, I., ... Bolan, G. A. (2021). Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. MMWR. Recommendations and Reports, 70(4), 1-187. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1'

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This eCQM is a patient-based measure.

This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the eCQI resource center (https://ecqi.healthit.gov/qdm) for more information on the QDM.

TBD

All patients 13 years of age and older at the start of the measurement period with an eligible encounter during the measurement period with a diagnosis of HIV before the end of the measurement period

Equals Initial Population

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Patients who were tested for each of the following at least once during the measurement period: chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis

Not Applicable

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For every patient evaluated by this measure also identify payer, race, ethnicity and sex