Syphilis in Poland is on the rise and underreported

Despite the availability of diagnostic tests and effective treatment, there has been a problem with vigilance and reporting of that infectious disease in many countries including Poland.

To compare the incidence of syphilis in Poland in years 2010-2016 according to the mandatory epidemiological surveillance system with the data of the National Health Fund (NHF).

Data of the NHF in Poland were collected. The total number of patients with syphilis (all forms) was estimated on the basis of their unique identifying numbers (PESEL).

The steady increase in the incidence of syphilis in Poland throughout 2010-2016 was found, apart from the congenital form of the disease, which decreased since 2010. The higher prevalence of syphilis was noted in men. The number of hospitalized patients remained constant. According to the data of the NHF, the number of cases of syphilis in Poland was twofold higher as compared to the statistics of the mandatory epidemiological surveillance system (National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, NIPH-NIH), which was the basis of reports published up to date.

Our work shows that there is a remarkable underreporting of syphilis in the mandatory epidemiological surveillance system in Poland, involving also hospitalized patients. The use of the data of NHF in the surveillance of syphilis in Poland is proposed.