[Twelve years of experience in the diagnosis of syphilis in Mexico. Period 2001-2012]. / Doce años de experiencia en el diagnóstico de sífilis en México (periodo 2001-2012).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of syphilis in Mexico in patients suspected of having the disease or any risk factor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a descriptive, longitudinal, randomized design study from the period of January 2001 to December 2012, where 51,302 samples were analyzed for syphilis in risk groups. RESULTS: A 39.73% frequency of positive cases was calculated. The estimated average age of detection was 29.08 years. It was found that syphilis affects 47.05% of males and 52.85% of females. The most affected states were Chiapas, Tabasco, and Hidalgo. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis, despite its decrease in frequency, is an important disease in the major risk groups, so it is vital to take preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of new cases and eliminate cases of congenital syphilis.