Epidemiology and Etiology of Nongonococcal Urethritis in Men

Abstract

The epidemiology of nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) refers to the study of NGU as it occurs in populations of men, while etiology encompasses study of microbial as well as nonmicrobial causation. The meager existing state of knowledge about NGU dictates that epi­demiologic studies of NGU be linked closely with studies of causa­tion. Current interest is stimulated by the increasing incidence of NGU apparent in many countries. This interest is further heightened by the wide range of opinions concerning NGU which are firmly held by practicing physicians. Opinions differ on such basic issues as whether the syndrome is or is not usually sexually acquired, whether it is infectious or noninfectious, and what microbial pathogens might cause it. These differences are due to the lack of controlled research employing concomitant epidemio­logic and etiologic study methods until very recently. This paper presents a preliminary analysis of a cohort study of the epidemi­ology of NGU, conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service, the U.S. Navy, and the University of Washington; and a review of case-control studies of the etiology of NGU, conducted in London and Seattle.