MSM Research
39 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8.5/10
Effects of dietary supplements on patients with osteoarthritis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Chen CS et al. • Journal of integrative medicine (2025)
Passion fruit peel extract was the best supplement for improving WOMAC pain and function scores in patients with osteoarthritis, followed by Lanconone and collagen.
- In the WOMAC pain score, the SUCRA of passion fruit peel extract was 91% (mean difference [MD]: -9.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [-16.0, -2.3]), followed by methylsulfonylmethane (89%), undenatured type II collagen (87%), collagen (84%), and Lanconone (82%).
- The SUCRA (99%) of passion fruit peel extract (MD: -41.0; 95% CI: [-66.0, -16.0]) ranked first in terms of the WOMAC function score, followed by Lanconone (95%), collagen (86%), ParActin (84%), and Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (83%).
- The top three total rankings are passion fruit peel extract (95.0%), Lanconone (88.5%), and collagen (85.0%).
Doxycycline prophylaxis for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Szondy I et al. • International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases (2024)
Doxy-PEP significantly reduces the number of new cases of chlamydia and syphilis and is potentially effective against gonorrhea, influenced by local resistance patterns.
- The pooled analysis of 1,766 participants with 602 newly diagnosed STIs showed a 56% decrease in the overall STI incidence using doxy-PrEP/PEP (RR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.30-0.65; I2 = 73%).
- For doxy-PEP, including MSM and TGW only, the RR observed for overall STI incidence was 0.40 (95% CI: 0.28-0.57; I² = 37%), 0.19 (95% CI: 0.08-0.44; I² = 39%) for chlamydia, 0.23 (0.14-0.36; I² = 0%) for syphilis and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.34-0.87; I² = 41%) for gonorrhea.
- Doxy-PEP significantly reduces the number of new cases of chlamydia and syphilis and is potentially effective against gonorrhea, influenced by local resistance patterns.
Acceptability and usability of oral fluid HCV self-testing for hepatitis C diagnosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Perazzo H et al. • Journal of viral hepatitis (2023)
Oral fluid HCVST should be considered in key populations for uptake HCV testing.© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- The pooled estimate of agreement for re-reading was 95.0% [95% CI 91.5-97.6] (n = 831; I2 = 74.0%) and for re-testing was 94.4% [90.3-97.5] (n = 726; I2 = 77.1%).
- The pooled estimate of those who would recommend HCVST was 94.4% [84.7-99.6] (n = 625; I2 = 93.7%).
- Pooled estimates (95% CI) of correct sample collection (72.8% [63.3-81.5] vs. 90.8% [85.9-94.8]) and performance of HCVST without needing assistance (44.1% [14.1-76.7] vs. 78.1% [53.4-95.3]) was lower in PWID compared to MSM.
Prevalence of syphilis among people living with HIV and its implication for enhanced coinfection monitoring and management in China: A meta-analysis
Wu Y et al. • Frontiers in public health (2022)
Our study showed a significantly high prevalence of syphilis among PLWH in China, particularly among MSM with HIV.
- The overall prevalence of syphilis among PLWH in China was 19.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 15.4-24.8%, I 2 = 98.9%].
- Our study showed a significantly high prevalence of syphilis among PLWH in China, particularly among MSM with HIV.
- Developing national guidelines for the integrated screening, monitoring, and management of HIV and syphilis as well as syphilis diagnosis and treatment training programs for physicians at designated HIV treatment hospitals is urgent and crucial to combat HIV and syphilis coinfection in China.
The association between methamphetamine use and number of sexual partners in men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Moradi S et al. • Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy (2022)
The results showed that meth uses in MSM increased the number of their sexual partners.
- The results of meta-analysis showed that meth use increased the number of sexual partners in MSM (RR: 3.70; % 95 CI: 2.04-6.70).
- Published in Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy (2022)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The benefits of psychosocial interventions for mental health in men who have sex with men living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Yu Y et al. • BMC psychiatry (2022)
The findings of this study indicate that psychosocial interventions benefit the mental health of MSM living with HIV.
- Psychosocial interventions in contrast to control groups significantly reduced depression (SMD, - 0.28; 95% CI - 0.52 - - 0.03) at the follow-up assessment and improved quality of life (SMD 0.43, 95% CI 0.23-0.63) after treatment.
- Psychosocial interventions also had a significant effect on measures of self-efficacy (SMD 2.22, 95% CI 0.24-4.20), and this effect was sustained until long-term follow-up (SMD 0.55, 95% CI 0.02-1.08).
- The findings of this study indicate that psychosocial interventions benefit the mental health of MSM living with HIV.
Trends in HIV testing, the treatment cascade, and HIV incidence among men who have sex with men in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Stannah J et al. • The lancet. HIV (2023)
HIV incidence remains high, and might not be decreasing among MSM in Africa over time, despite some increases in HIV testing and ART use.
- HIV incidence remains high, and might not be decreasing among MSM in Africa over time, despite some increases in HIV testing and ART use.
- Achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets for diagnosis, treatment, and viral suppression equitably for all requires renewed focus on this key population.
- Combination interventions for MSM are urgently required to reduce disparities in HIV incidence and tackle the social, structural, and behavioural factors that make MSM vulnerable to HIV acquisition.
Geographic and Population Distributions of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1 and HIV-2 Circulating Subtypes: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis (2010-2021)
Williams A et al. • The Journal of infectious diseases (2023)
This review underscores the global distribution of HIV subtypes, with an increasing prevalence of CRFs and a lower prevalence of subtype C.
- Globally, circulating recombinant forms (CRFs)/unique recombinant forms (URFs) accounted for 29% of HIV-1 strains, followed by subtype C (23%) and subtype A (17%).
- Among studies reporting subtype breakdowns in key populations, 62% of HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) and 38% among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) were CRF/URFs.
- Latin America and the Caribbean exhibited a 25% increase in other CRFs (excluding CRF01_AE or CRF02_AG) prevalence between 2010-2015 and 2016-2021.
Chemsex and chemsex associated substance use among men who have sex with men in Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Wang H et al. • Drug and alcohol dependence (2023)
Our meta-analyses showed that chemsex is not uncommon among MSM, and MSM engaging in transactional sex in Asia.
- Compared to a general MSM population (prevalence = 0.19, 95 %CI:0.15-0.23), MSM engaging in transactional sex showed a higher prevalence of chemsex (MSM sex work clients [prevalence = 0.28, 95 %CI:0.11-0.45]; MSM sex worker [prevalence = 0.28, 95 %CI:0.17-0.26]).
- MSM living with HIV also showed higher odds of chemsex activity (OR = 3.35, 95 %CI:1.57-7.10), compared to MSM living without HIV.
- Our meta-analyses showed that chemsex is not uncommon among MSM, and MSM engaging in transactional sex in Asia.
Increasing awareness of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and willingness to use HIV PrEP among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis of global data
Sun Z et al. • Journal of the International AIDS Society (2022)
The proportions of PrEP awareness and willingness to use PrEP among MSM have increased since 2014, although the awareness was low and the willingness was moderate.
- The pooled proportions of MSM aware of PrEP and willing to use PrEP were 50.0 (95% CI: 44.8-55.2) and 58.6% (95% CI: 54.8-62.4), respectively.
- The awareness of PrEP increased from 2007 to 2019 with a slope of 0.040260 (p<0.0001), while the proportion of MSM willing to use PrEP decreased from 2007 to 2014 (slope = -0.03647, p = 0.00390) but increased after 2014 (slope = 0.04187, p = 0.03895).
- The proportions of PrEP awareness and willingness to use PrEP among MSM have increased since 2014, although the awareness was low and the willingness was moderate.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of sexually transmitted infections and blood-borne viruses in travellers
Shiferaw W et al. • Journal of travel medicine (2024)
Strategies to prevent STIs and sexually transmitted BBVs should be discussed at pre-travel consultations, and recommendations should be prioritized in high-risk groups of travellers, such as backpackers, VFRs and MSMs.
- The highest prevalence of STIs among asymptomatic were found in MSM (HIV [25.94%; 95% CI: 22.21-30.05%] and HBV [24.90%; 95% CI: 21.23-28.96%]) and backpackers (C. trachomatis, 3.92%; 95% CI: 2.72-5.32%).
- Strategies to prevent STIs and sexually transmitted BBVs should be discussed at pre-travel consultations, and recommendations should be prioritized in high-risk groups of travellers, such as backpackers, VFRs and MSMs.
- Additionally, healthcare providers should tailor recommendations for safe sex practices to individual travellers' unique needs.
Syphilis epidemic among men who have sex with men: A global systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence, incidence, and associated factors
Zheng Y et al. • Journal of global health (2024)
A disproportionate geographic pattern of syphilis infection in MSM and significant threats of syphilis infection were revealed.
- The pooled prevalence of syphilis in MSM was 10.4%, with substantial differences between countries and regions.
- A disproportionate geographic pattern of syphilis infection in MSM and significant threats of syphilis infection were revealed.
- The 'hidden risk' in specific regions and the inadequately elucidated drivers of high-risk behaviours, need to be fully acknowledged and addressed.
Prevalence of sexualized drug use and risk of HIV among sexually active MSM in East and South Asian countries: systematic review and meta-analysis
Nevendorff L et al. • Journal of the International AIDS Society (2023)
SDU is common among MSM in East and South Asian countries, but varying SDU definitions limit between-study comparisons.
- The pooled prevalence of recent SDU (past 12 months) was 13% (95% CI = 10-16%; I2 = 97.6) but higher when studies utilized self-administered surveys (15%; 95% CI = 12-19%; p<0.05).
- SDU was associated with greater odds of CAI (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 3.21; 95% CI = 1.82-5.66) and living with diagnosed HIV (OR = 4.73; 95% CI = 2.27-8.21).
- SDU is common among MSM in East and South Asian countries, but varying SDU definitions limit between-study comparisons.
The epidemic of HIV and syphilis and the correlation with substance abuse among men who have sex with men in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Zhao T et al. • Frontiers in public health (2023)
Our study shows the correlation between substance abuse and HIV/Syphilis infection.
- The pooled HIV prevalence rate among substance-abusing MSM was 10.0% (95% CI = 0.08-0.13).
- Substance abusers were more likely to have a higher prevalence of HIV (OR = 1.59) and syphilis (OR = 1.48) infections than non-substance abusers.
- Substance abusers were also more likely to seek sexual partners through the internet or social media applications (OR = 1.63), engage in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) (OR = 1.69), group sex (OR = 2.78), and engage in commercial intercourse (OR = 2.04) compared to non-users.
The global prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Nouri E et al. • European journal of medical research (2023)
Considering that the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among these people is many times higher than that among men in the general population, developing programs for the prevention of mental disorders with special attention to suicide is necessary for these people.
- The results showed the prevalence of suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts among MSM was 21% (95% CI 17%-26%), and 12% (95% CI 8%-17%), respectively.
- The results of the subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence of suicidal ideation in the population of MSM living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was 40% (95% CI 35%-45%), and the prevalence of suicide attempts among MSM with HIV was 10% (95% CI 1%-27%).
- Considering that the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among these people is many times higher than that among men in the general population, developing programs for the prevention of mental disorders with special attention to suicide is necessary for these people.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of cytology and HPV-related biomarkers for anal cancer screening among different risk groups
Clarke MA et al. • International journal of cancer (2022)
Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
- We estimated the prevalence of AIN2+ and calculated summary estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of test positivity, sensitivity and specificity and predictive values of various testing strategies, overall and among population subgroups.
- The prevalence of AIN2+ was 20% (95% CI, 17-29%), and ranged from 22% in men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV to 13% in women and 12% in MSM without HIV.
- The sensitivity and specificity of cytology and HPV testing were 81% and 62% and 92% and 42%, respectively, and 93% and 33%, respectively for cytology and HPV co-testing.
The proportion of HIV disclosure to sexual partners among people diagnosed with HIV in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Peng W et al. • Frontiers in public health (2022)
The disclosure prevalence of people diagnosed with HIV to sexual partners still need improving in China, and it varies among partner types, key populations, and time being diagnosed.
- The pooled proportion of HIV disclosure to sexual partners was 65% (95% CI: 56%-75%; 34 studies).
- Sub-group analyses indicated the proportions of HIV disclosure to regular, casual and unclassified sexual partners were 63% (95% CI: 45%-81%; 31 studies), 20% (95% CI: 8%-33%; nine studies), and 66% (95% CI: 59%-73%; 14 studies), respectively.
- Fifty-seven percent (95% CI: 45%-69%; three studies) disclosed on the day of diagnosis, 62% (95% CI: 42%-82%; four studies) disclosed within 1 month, and 39% (95% CI: 2%-77%; four studies) disclosed 1 month later.
Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical effectiveness, safety, adherence and risk compensation in all populations
O Murchu E et al. • BMJ open (2022)
PrEP is safe and effective in MSM, serodiscordant couples and PWIDs.
- PrEP is safe and effective in MSM, serodiscordant couples and PWIDs.
- Additional research is needed prior to recommending PrEP in heterosexuals.
- No RCTs reported effectiveness or safety data for other high-risk groups, such as transgender women and sex workers.
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis to Estimate the Time from HIV Infection to Diagnosis for People with HIV
Gbadamosi SO et al. • AIDS reviews (2022)
This period is shorter for MSM relative to people with infections attributable to other risk factors.
- The pooled meantime from HIV infection to diagnosis was 3.00 years (95% confidence interval: 2.16-3.84).
- Subsequently, it increased to 3.20 years in 2003 and remained relatively stable until 2015.
- In sub-group meta-analyses, men who have sex with men (MSM) had a meantime of 2.62 years (1.91-3.34), while for heterosexuals and people who inject drugs, it was 5.00 (4.15-5.86) and 4.98 (3.97-5.98) years, respectively.
Effectiveness of HIV Stigma Interventions for Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) With and Without HIV in the United States: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
Gunn JKL et al. • AIDS and behavior (2022)
This is a U.S. government work and not under copyright protection in the U.S.; foreign copyright protection may apply.
- Random effect models showed no intervention effect for reducing stigma and a non-significant increase in HIV testing.
- Significant decreases in condomless sex with males, condomless sex with females, and substance-influenced sex were found.
- Few intervention studies measured stigma pre-post.