ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There are many differences in the prevalence of syphilis according to the objects and districts. Recently, the incidence of syphilis increased in the world because of various factors. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes of the epidemiological, clinical characteristics, and stages of syphilis. METHODS: We selected 357 patients with reactive results on VDRL among 79,991 cases who visited in our hospital, between January 2002 and December 2007. We assessed the age, gender, skin lesion, serologic result, clinical stage, treatment history, and underlying disease. RESULTS: During the 7-year period under study, the reactive rate of serum VDRL test was 4.5% in 79,991 people (preoperation or admission examinees: 35.0%. physical examinees: 30.8%, skin lesion: 21.3%, partner's (+): 9.0%, pregnant women: 3.7%). The annual incidence of syphilis had increased from 3.5% in 2002 to 6.3% in 2007. On a total 357 sera with reactive results on VDRL, the symptomatic syphilis rate was 21.3%, increased from 13.6% in 2002 to 26.8% in 2007 (p=0.001). Statistically, there are differences in age distribution between both sexes. The male:female ratio was 1:3.3 in 0~19 years and 1.9:1 in 60~69 years (p=0.029). The incidence of symptomatic syphilis cases was 8 (66.7%) in 0~19 years, 22 (39.3%) in 20~29 years, while latent syphilis was 53 (74.6%) in 50~59 years and 35 (60.3%) in 60~69 years (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the incidence of symptomatic syphilis may be increasing. Further observation, analysis, and continued vigilance in the general population are required.