Clinical Observation and Statistical Consideration of Syphilis (2000~2007)

Park, Hai Jin

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Syphilis is infectious and chronic disease transmitted sexually and caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. Thanks to the wide-ranging variance in clinical presentations, the disease has earned the name, "the Great Mimicker". The prevalence rate of syphilis in Korea dropped sharply since the 1970s and has remained low until recently when the rate started to show signs of a modest but clear increase.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence of syphilis and describe its clinical characteristics of each stage as we have observed for the past 8 years at our hospital.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective analysis on the 279 syphilis patients who visited our hospital from 2000 to 2007. For the diagnosis of the disease, we used nontreponemal (VDRL) and treponemal test (TPHA, FTA-ABS) in serum and evaluated the clinical features of the subjects.
RESULTS
The annual incidence and prevalence rate of early syphilis showed a statistically significant upward trend. By gender, the annual incidence rate among males also drew an upward curve. Among 279 patients, 28 cases of early syphilis were found in males, whereas only 16 cases were found in females. Early syphilis is found most frequently in the twenties. Secondary syphilis showed various skin lesions including alopecia syphlitica, macular syphilid, papulosquamous syphlid and annular patch. Nine cases among 19 syphilis patients showed coppery red macules on palms and soles. One case of early latent syphilis was found in a HIV-positive patient. The serum VDRL titers according to stages did not show a statistically significant difference.
CONCLUSION
We have observed statistically significant (p<0.05) increase in the incidence and prevalence rates of early syphilis in recent years. Thus, dermatologists should be rightly aware of and familiarize themselves with the diverse clinical features of syphilis and be attentive and alert to effectively diagnose the disease in its early stages.