SYPHILIS IN A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES CLINIC – ANALYSIS OF 880 PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: Analysis of patients with syphilis in a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic and characterization of patients with syphilis co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis in men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: Retrospective study of social, demographic, clinical and laboratorial data of patients with the diagnosis of syphilis between 1998 and 2009.

Results: This study included 880 patients with syphilis, of these 69.9% were male. The mean age was 41.4±13.3 years within 15 to 91 years interval. 56.6% patients had early syphilis (ES) and in 13.0% other STD was simultaneously diagnosed. Eighty-seven (9,9%) patients had HIV infection, of these 33(37,9%) were de novo diagnosis. In the group of HIV positive patients a higher prevalence of MSM (32.6% vs 3.8%) and concomitant STD (36,8% vs 10,6%) were detected in comparison to HIV negative patients group (p<0,05). More patients with ES (70,4%) and concomitant STD (31,5%) were diagnosed in the group with previously known diagnosis of HIV (p<0,05). In MSM (n=56) a higher prevalence of HIV co-infection (50.0% vs 9.9%), ES (78,6% vs 57,4%) and concomitant STD (26.8% vs 15.8%) were observed in comparison to heterosexual men (n=545) (p<0,05).

Discussion: In our population, more de novo STD were observed between HIV group, inclusively in those patients with previously known diagnosis. Among MSM a higher prevalence of HIV co-infection, early syphilis and simultaneous diagnosis of other STD were detected. This study emphasizes the need for more campaigns targeted to specific groups, namely patients with HIV infection and MSM.

KEYWORDS – Ambulatory Care Facilities; HIV Infections; Homosexuality, Male; Syphilis; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases.