Perfil epidemiológico da sífilis adquirida entre idosos na região Nordeste

Abstract

Acquired syphilis is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the elderly, mainly due to unprotected sexual intercourse. This is attributed to increased life expectancy, as well as advances in gerontological and pharmaceutical medicine, which enable this population to maintain a more active lifestyle, particularly in their sexual behaviors. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of acquired syphilis cases in elderly individuals in the Northeast region of Brazil from 2012 to 2022. Methodology: This is an ecological, retrospective epidemiological study with a quantitative approach. All reported cases of syphilis in elderly individuals between 2012 and 2022 in the Northeast region were extracted from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) via electronic access through the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS). The data were organized into spreadsheets using Microsoft Office Excel, tabulated, and analyzed through descriptive statistics, including incidence rates, absolute and relative frequencies. Results: Between 2012 and 2022, a total of 9,169 confirmed cases of acquired syphilis in elderly individuals were recorded in the Northeast region of Brazil. The number of notifications showed a significant increase, rising from 54 cases in 2012 to 2,172 in 2022. Syphilis cases were predominant among males (n=5,639; 61.5%), in the 60 to 64 age group (n=3,567; 38.9%), among individuals of mixed race/ethnicity (n=4,889; 68.5%), with low educational attainment (n=1,407; 30.8%), diagnosed through laboratory confirmation criteria (n=7,995; 89.9%), and with a high cure rate (n=5,259; 98.0%). Regarding temporal trends in the Northeast region, a progressive increase in incidence rates was observed between 2012 and 2017, followed by a sharper rise in 2018. There was a slight decline in 2019 and a significant drop in 2020, with case numbers resuming their upward trend in subsequent years. The state of Bahia recorded the highest number of notifications (n=3,099; 33.8%), while Pernambuco had the highest average incidence rate during the analyzed period (20.31 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight that syphilis among the elderly in the Northeast region represents a concerning public health issue, influenced by socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral factors. Addressing this infection poses a challenge, given the barriers such as unequal access to healthcare services, low adherence to preventive measures, and underreporting of cases. In this context, the study’s findings can support the development of strategies aimed at expanding early diagnosis and strengthening treatment adherence, allowing for more effective planning of primary healthcare interventions and ensuring quality care for the elderly population.