Prevalence of Syphilis in Venereology OPD patients - A prospective observational study in a tertiary care hospital

Dr Sukanya Mathupal; Dr Vignesh NR

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2020

Prevalence of Syphilis in Venereology OPD patients - A prospective observational study in a tertiary care hospital

Dr Sukanya Mathupal, Dr Vignesh Nr

Abstract :

Syphilis is an old venereal disease known since the prehistoric era. There is an old saying that if you know syphilis, you would know medicine. Over a period of time, its incidence had shown a decline especially in the post antibiotic era. A disease caused by Treponema pallidum, a spirochete, it presents initially with a painless genital ulcer which often goes unnoticed or unattended. More than two–thirds of secondary syphilis patients present with skin rashes which include the palmar and plantar syphilides Methods: This study was done after prior ethical committee approval in a tertiary care hospital. We documented the details of 100 patients attending the venereology OPD along with their presenting complaints after complete physical examination. Necessary investigations were done pertaining to the individual patient. VDRL was used for screening and TPHA for confirmation Results: Among the total study group (100), 14 turned out to be confirmed cases of syphilis. Among those positive, 9(64.28%) were males, 4(28.57%) females and one transgender(7.14%). 50%(7 patients) presented as palmoplantar syphilid, 4 patients (28.57%) presented as Pityriasis rosea like skin rash, one(7.14%) with condyloma lata and two(14.28%) who were asymptomatic were detected on screening. Conclusion: 50% of the confirmed syphilis patients presented with palmoplantar syphilids which mimic palmoplantar psoriasis. 21.4% (3 patients) of the syphilitics were homosexuals. This study emphasises the need for robust screening of high risk patients for syphilis in view of the rise in homosexual practices and promiscuity