Table 2. Characteristics of syphilis cases in general practice (n = 43)
CharacteristicFrequency, n (%)
Sex
 Male36 (84)
 Female7 (16)
Age, years
 16–2511 (26)
 26–357 (16)
 36–457 (16)
 46–558 (19)
 >5510 (23)
(Half) Year of diagnosis
 1 July 2013–31 Dec 20135 (12)
 201410 (23)
 20159 (21)
 201611 (26)
 20178 (19)
 1 Jan 2018–31 July 20180
HIV status
 Positive8 (19)
 Co-infection3 (7)
 Not recorded32 (74)
Stage of disease
 Primary10 (23)
 Secondary6 (14)
 Early latent3 (7)
 Late latent6 (14)
 Neurosyphilis0
 Unknowna 17 (40)
 Missing data1 (2)
Follow-up 39 (91)
 Missing data4 (9)
Referral 6 (15)
 Sexually transmitted infection clinic3 (50)
 Venereologist or internist3 (50)
Treated by GP 33 (85)
 1x penicillin18 (55)
 3x penicillin15 (45)
According to guideline b 28 (85)
 Undertreated3 (9)
 Overtreated2 (6)
  • aUnknown stage of disease or possible serological scar, which is clinically the same as late latent stage and requires 3x penicillin treatment.b Based on the stage of disease the first choice treatment of syphilis consists of one or three penicillin injections. Undertreated is when one penicillin injection was given when three were recommended by the guideline, and vice versa for overtreated.