Epidemiological characteristics of patients with syphilis in Gdańsk and Warsaw in 2016

INTRODUCTION: Syphilis is a systemic disease with a complex natural history and a diversified clinical symptomology, taking various forms. It is characterized by a long-term course, often asymptomatic. The Global Estimates indicate that Treponema pallidum caused 5.6 million infections per year.

AIM: Epidemiological characteristics of patients with syphilis in selected Polish urban agglomerations (Warsaw and Gdańsk) in 2016.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cases of syphilis reported by doctors to The Provincial Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations in Gdańsk (50 cases) and in Warsaw (520 cases) in 2016 were analysed.

RESULTS: The average age of patients with syphilis was 35.2 years (Me=32 years). Men were more likely to suffer from syphilis - 493 cases (ie. 86.5%). The probable transmission route of the infection was indicated in 45% of cases and in 7.9% (45 people) it was undetermined sexual contact, in 11.6% (66 people) - heterosexual contact, and in 24.4% (139 people) - homosexual contact. In 7 cases (ie 1.2%), the infection was transferred vertically. A statistically significant relationship was found between the route of infection and the sex of the infected person (p<0.01). The incidence of individual syphilis forms was significantly different between the examined cities (p<0.01).

DISCUSSION: The group of people suffering from syphilis described in the study reflects the population of young people, especially men, living in urban agglomerations, characterized by mobility, considered the group most at risk of STI/ STD. The male-to-female rate among the respondents was 6.4:1 and was similar to the overall rate in Europe in 2014, ie 6.2:1. Number of cases of early syphilis (39.5% of all reports in Warsaw and 80% in Gdańsk) may suggest insufficient detection of infections in Gdańsk and the need to intensify syphilis screening. In 2014, there were 69 cases of congenital syphilisn in the EU / EEA, of which every fourth newborn was born in Poland (n = 17).

CONCLUSION: The latent syphilis form acquired mainly through heterosexual contacts has dominated among women suffering from syphilis. Amidst men syphilis was diagnosed mainly in the primary stage of infection and was most commonly acquired as a result of homosexual relationships. The epidemiological situation in Poland of syphilis, has been influenced by infections among MSM.