DECREASED HELPER T LYMPHOCYTES IN HOMOSEXUAL MEN II. SEXUAL PRACTICES

In June 1982 the sexual practices of 245 homosexual male outpatients of private physicians were evaluated in relationship to decreased numbers of helper T lymphocytes an abnormality that is characteristic of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 3 risk groups were defined a priori -- 85 high risk men from central Manhattan ("New York") 96 intermediate risk men from Washington DC with AIDS-area homosexual contacts ("Washington-exposed") and 64 low risk Washington DC men without such contacts ("Washington-unexposed"). An increasing number of homosexual partners was correlated with decreasing helper T-cell counts (R = -0.29 p = 0.009) and decreasing helper: suppressor T-cell counts (R = -0.32 p = 0.005) in the entire study group combined and in New York subjects separately. Suppressor T-cell counts were unrelated to the number of partners in all 3 groups. Increasingly frequent receptive anal intercourse correlated with decreasing helper T-cell counts most clearly in the New York City group (R = -0.23 p = 0.04) somewhat less so in the Washington-exposed group (R = -0.18 p = 0.07) and not at all in the Washington-unexposed group (R = -0.09 p = 0.48). This association persisted in the New York and Washington-exposed groups after adjusting for 7 other sexual practices the number of homosexual partners and 5 other potentially counfounding variables. A transmissible agent associated with receptive anal intercourse best explains these data. The cause of these low helper T-cell counts may also be the cause of AIDS. (authors)