Syphilis in Poland in 2020

Abstract

PURPOSE. The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of syphilis cases in Poland in 2020 in comparison to previous years. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Analysis of the epidemiological situation was based on case-based data from reports of newly detected syphilis cases received from doctors and laboratories in 2020. Additionally aggregated data from MZ-56 reports on infectious diseases, infections and poisoning from 2014 to 2018 sent from Sanitary Inspections to NIPH NIH –NRI was used. Also, data about treatment patients in dermatology/venerology clinics in 2020 reported on MZ-14 forms and published in statistics bulletin on Ministry of Health on e-health system website (actually: https://e-zdrowie.gov.pl; https://cez.gov.pl) and NIPH NIH – NRI website were used.  RESULTS. In 2020 in Poland 686 newly diagnosed syphilis cases were reported (diagnosis rate was 1.79 per 100,000), including 18 cases among non-Polish citizens. The frequency of newly detected syphilis cases decreased by 54.6% compared to the previous year and similar decreased 52.5% compared to the median in 2014-2018 years. The syphilis cases were most often detected in the age group between 20 and 39 years (68.9%) and among men (86.2%). On the other hand, places where syphilis cases are treated, reported 1,529 cases – less by 4% than in 2019 year, including 979 cases on early stage of syphilis. CONCLUSION. In 2020, the number of reported a newly detected syphilis cases decreased more than by half compared to the previous year, what is probably related to the COVID-19 pandemic and action taken to reduce it. A huge difference in some regions in Poland for diagnosis rates and not visible a significant decrease in the number of treated person, indicate on problem with reporting a newly diagnosed infections, as a main explanation about increasing observed in 2020.