Gonorrhea testing, morbidity, and reporting using an integrated sexually transmitted disease registry in Indiana: 2004-2016

Abstract

Background: Surveillance of gonorrhea (GC), the second most common notifiable disease in the United States, depends on case reports. Population-level data that contain the number of individuals tested in addition to morbidity are lacking.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from individuals tested for GC recorded in a STD registry. Descriptive statistics were performed, and a Poisson generalized linear model was used to evaluate the number of individuals tested for GC and the positivity rate. GC cases from a subset of the registry was compared to CDC to determine the completeness of the registry.

Results: A total of 1,870,811 GC tests were linked to 627,870 unique individuals. Individuals tested for GC increased from 54,334 in 2004 to 269,701 in 2016; likewise, GC cases increased from 2,039 to 5,997. However, positivity rate decreased from 3.75% in 2004 to 2.22% in 2016. The difference in the number of GC cases captured by the registry and those reported to the CDC were not statistically significant (P= 0.0665).

Conclusions: Population-level data from a STD registry combining electronic medical records and public health case data may inform STD control efforts. In Indiana, increased testing rates appeared to correlate with increased GC morbidity.