STI and HIV Testing and Diagnosis Among 15-44 Years Old Patients with and without Opioid Use Disorder

Background The association between illicit opioid use and prescription opioid misuse and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has not been examined recently. Our study aims to explore differences in STI/HIV care, delivery of recommended testing and diagnoses among patients with and without opioid use disorder (OUD). Methods Using 2019 MarketScan commercial claims data, we identified 15-44 years old male and female patients, to assess the percentages of STI/HIV diagnoses (using ICD10-CM) and screening (using Current Procedure Terminology codes) among patients with or without OUD diagnoses codes. We further assessed STI/HIV testing and diagnoses by demographic factors. Results We identified 24,724 patients with OUD codes among 7.31 million patients. Both STI/HIV testing and diagnoses were significantly (p < 0.05) higher among patients with OUD codes versus without: testing percentages were 16.81% versus 12.93% for chlamydia, 22.31% versus 16.62% for gonorrhea, 15.26% versus 7.61% for syphilis and 18.18% versus 7.60% for HIV and diagnoses were 0.80% versus 0.35% for chlamydia, 0.30% versus 0.11% for gonorrhea, 0.23% versus 0.07% for syphilis and 0.74% versus 0.33% for HIV. Similarly, among 0.53 million 15-24 years old females who received services suggestive of sexual activity, chlamydia testing was significantly (p < 0.05) higher among patients with OUD codes versus without (59.78% versus 55.66%). Conclusions Patients with OUD codes have higher percentages of STI/HIV testing and diagnoses codes compared to those without OUD codes. Clinicians may want to consider a comprehensive multidisciplinary (OUD and STI prevention) approach in patient care and provide recommended STI/HIV screening among patients with OUD if not performed.