Jason J Ong1, Andrew Grulich2, Sandra Walker3, Jennifer Hoy4, Tim Read3, Catriona Bradshaw5, Suzanne M Garland6, Richard Hillman7, David Templeton2, Jane Hocking8, Beng Eu9, B K Tee10, Christopher K Fairley11. 1. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Australia Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Australia j.ong@unimelb.edu.au. 2. Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia. 3. Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Australia. 4. Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Australia. 5. Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Australia Central Clinical School, Monash University, Australia. 6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia. 7. Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Australia. 8. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Australia. 9. Prahran Market Clinic, Melbourne Australia. 10. The Centre Clinic, Victorian AIDS Council, Melbourne Australia. 11. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Australia Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Australia Central Clinical School, Monash University, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Cytological screening for anal cancer precursors is not always possible. We investigated digital ano-rectal examination (DARE) as a means of early anal cancer detection in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: We recruited 327 HIV-positive MSM aged 35 and over from clinics with HIV physicians in Melbourne, Australia, to receive an annual DARE. We analyzed baseline data from patient questionnaires regarding general, anal and sexual health, adverse effects from the anal examination, cancer worry, and quality of life. RESULTS: The majority of men (82%, 95% CI:78-87) felt relaxed during the DARE, 1% (95% CI:0-3) complained of pain, and 1% (95% CI:0-4) reported bleeding after the examination. Nearly all men (99%, 95% CI:96-100) were willing to continue with an annual DARE. Quality of life was unaffected with utility scores of 0.76 before examination vs. 0.77 two weeks after examination, (p = 0.41). An anal abnormality was detected in 86 men (27%, 95% CI:22-31), with one anal cancer identified. The specialist referral rate following DARE was 5% (95% CI:3-8). Recruitment rates were significantly associated with the clinic setting (sexual health centre 78%, general practice 13%, hospital 14%, p = 0.002) and specialty (sexual health physician 67%, general practitioner 20%, infectious disease physician 14%, p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Annual DARE to detect anal cancer in HIV-positive MSM was acceptable for patients, with minimal side effects. Strategies to increase HIV physician's patient recruitment would be needed if DARE were to be implemented in anal cancer screening.
OBJECTIVE: Cytological screening for anal cancer precursors is not always possible. We investigated digital ano-rectal examination (DARE) as a means of early anal cancer detection in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: We recruited 327 HIV-positive MSM aged 35 and over from clinics with HIV physicians in Melbourne, Australia, to receive an annual DARE. We analyzed baseline data from patient questionnaires regarding general, anal and sexual health, adverse effects from the anal examination, cancer worry, and quality of life. RESULTS: The majority of men (82%, 95% CI:78-87) felt relaxed during the DARE, 1% (95% CI:0-3) complained of pain, and 1% (95% CI:0-4) reported bleeding after the examination. Nearly all men (99%, 95% CI:96-100) were willing to continue with an annual DARE. Quality of life was unaffected with utility scores of 0.76 before examination vs. 0.77 two weeks after examination, (p = 0.41). An anal abnormality was detected in 86 men (27%, 95% CI:22-31), with one anal cancer identified. The specialist referral rate following DARE was 5% (95% CI:3-8). Recruitment rates were significantly associated with the clinic setting (sexual health centre 78%, general practice 13%, hospital 14%, p = 0.002) and specialty (sexual health physician 67%, general practitioner 20%, infectious disease physician 14%, p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Annual DARE to detect anal cancer in HIV-positive MSM was acceptable for patients, with minimal side effects. Strategies to increase HIV physician's patient recruitment would be needed if DARE were to be implemented in anal cancer screening.
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