PROFILE OF SYPHILIS PATIENTS AT SANJIWANI REGIONAL GENERAL HOSPITAL, GIANYAR: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY, 2021–2025

Abstract

Background: Syphilis remains a major global sexually transmitted infection and may occur without overt clinical manifestations. Data on the characteristics of patients with syphilis at Sanjiwani Regional General Hospital, Gianyar, remain limited. Methods: This descriptive observational study used a retrospective design and medical record data from patients with syphilis treated at Sanjiwani Regional General Hospital, Gianyar, between January 2021 and December 2025. Total sampling was applied to all patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Variables included demographic characteristics, disease stage and clinical presentation, serological profile, treatment, and VDRL follow-up. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results: A total of 36 patients were analyzed, with a median age of 31 years (range, 19–60 years). Most patients were aged 25–44 years (58.3%), male (61.1%), and residents of Gianyar Regency (86.1%). Late latent syphilis was the most common stage (83.3%), while 52.8% of patients had no active complaints at diagnosis. All patients had reactive TPHA results, with varying baseline VDRL titers. Most patients (80.6%) received three weekly doses of benzathine penicillin G, and 61.1% had at least one documented follow-up VDRL result. Conclusion: Patients with syphilis at Sanjiwani Regional General Hospital were predominantly men aged 25–44 years, with late latent syphilis as the most common stage. The high proportion of patients without active complaints highlights the importance of serological testing in identifying syphilis in this population.