Retrospective analysis of 50 cases of senile syphilis

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the epidemiological features of senile syphilis. METHOD: The clinical data of 50 elderly (>60 years) patients with syphilis who were treated in the Clinic of Sexually Transmitted Diseases of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were 31 men and 19 women (male to female ratio:1.6:1). Non-marital sexual intercourse was the main route of transmission. The disease was mainly found before surgeries. Among these 50 syphilis cases, 3 were primary syphilis, 13 were secondary syphilis, 10 were early latent syphilis, 12 were late latent syphilis, and 12 were latent syphilis of unknown duration. Co-morbidities with other sexually transmitted diseases were found in 4 patients. The rate of sero-resistance was 40%. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of syphilis in the senile population is higher than we expected. Routine serological screening for syphilis is required in clinical settings. The underlying diseases, human hosts-related spirochetes, and laboratory testing techniques are important reasons for the false positive findings in senile patients.