Older Adults at Risk for Chlamydia, Too: Study

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with 3 million new cases each year. About two-thirds of patients do not develop symptoms, but if left untreated, the infection has serious health consequences, including chronic pelvic pain and sterility.

Since reproductive concerns do not affect older adults, many people who track the prevalence of chlamydia have ignored individuals over 50 who may not only contract the infection but also pass it along to others. In addition, previous research has shown that people with chlamydia face a higher than average risk of contracting HIV. People over age 50 now account for 11 percent of US AIDS cases.

The authors of the study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (2002;50), conducted an analysis of chlamydia cases among people over 50 reported to Los Angeles County. They found that around 1 percent of all diagnosed cases of chlamydia in Los Angeles County occur in adults at least 50 years old, with the highest among women and African-Americans. The findings demonstrate, according to Lisa V. Smith of the University of California-Los Angeles, "there are no age barriers for sexually transmitted infections."

The investigators found that 1,421 cases of the disease were reported between 1991 and 1998 for people over age 50, or around 9 new cases for every 100,000 people each year. In addition, they found that women were up to three times more likely to have chlamydia than men, a ratio also seen among people 20 to 35 years old. In addition, African-Americans showed two to nine times the rate of infection as other groups.

The researchers recommended that media campaigns be launched among older adults to communicate the risk of STDs. "In addition, clinicians should be providing health education materials that would help them obtain sexual histories from older patients," said Smith. "Lastly, more research is needed to identify ways to increase the awareness of STDs in older groups," she said.

Back to other CDC news for September 11, 2002

Previous Updates