Rising Incidence of Syphilitic Uveitis-Related Hospitalizations in the US.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Syphilis cases have risen significantly in the US since 2001, with a notable 74% increase since 2017.
• A national shortage of injectable penicillin G further complicates treatment and management.
• No recent nationwide studies have investigated trends in syphilitic uveitis incidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the national and regional incidence of hospitalizations related to syphilitic uveitis in the United States.
• To identify sociodemographic characteristics and trends associated with syphilitic uveitis hospitalizations.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, cross-sectional study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2010 to 2019.
• Inpatient admissions with diagnoses of syphilis, uveitis, or syphilitic uveitis were analyzed.
• Statistical analyses identified national and regional incidence trends and patient demographics.

Main Results:

• An estimated 5,581 syphilitic uveitis hospitalizations occurred between 2010 and 2019.
• National incidence increased from 0.08 to 0.23 per 100,000 population (P=.04), with increases across all US regions.
• Syphilitic uveitis disproportionately affected African Americans (32%) and individuals in the lowest income quartile (38.8%). Comorbid AIDS was present in 23.2% of patients.

Conclusions:

• The incidence of syphilitic uveitis-related hospitalizations in the US showed an increasing trend from 2010 to 2019.
• These findings underscore the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for syphilis in patients presenting with intraocular inflammation.
• The results are particularly relevant given the ongoing national shortage of injectable penicillin G.