Retrospective cohort study of the association between previous syphilis and the risk of developing acute cerebrovascular accident

Novikov Yu.A., Zadorozhnaya A.V., Zubareva E.Yu., Pravdina O.V., Radul E.V., Filippov S.O.

1) Clinical Dermatovenerological Dispensary, Venereology Department, Omsk, Russia; 2) Regional Clinical Hospital, Omsk, Russia; 3) Omsk State Medical University, Department of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, Omsk, Russia

Background: The possibility of vascular damage in syphilis has been considered by scientists for a long time. Currently, the list of mechanisms of influence of Treponema pallidum both on the endothelium in general and on the blood-brain barrier in particular has been significantly expanded. However, the question of the consequences of syphilis for the human body remains debatable even in the case of fully administered specific therapy.
Objective: Retrospective cohort study to confirm the relationship between syphilis and the risk of developing acute cerebrovascular accident.
Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study of the medical records of 2022 patients hospitalized with suspected acute cerebrovascular accident (ACVA) in 2017–2018 was conducted. The study groups were divided into the following: the main group (n=36) – patients with a history of confirmed syphilis, the comparison group (n=35) – patients without syphilis. Clinical, instrumental (MSCT, MRI) and laboratory research methods (ELISA, CP) were used.
Results: In the main group, ACVA developed 19 years earlier (mean age 51.8±10.5 years). The incidence of ischemic stroke was comparable (66% versus 68.5%), but patients with syphilis more often had combined arterial lesions (12.5% versus 0%) and papilledema (65.3% versus 22%).
Conclusion: Previous syphilis can increase the risk of early development of stroke and contribute to more severe neurological complications, which requires the development of secondary prevention measures.

Keywords

About the Authors

Yury A. Novikov, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Chief Physician, Clinical Dermatovenerological Dispensary; Head of the Department of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, Omsk State Medical University, Omsk, Russia; skinandven@omsk-osma.ru, ORCID:
https://orcid.com/0000-0003-0391-5372 (corresponding author)
Anna V. Zadorozhnaya, Regional Clinical Hospital, Omsk, Russia; ORCID: https://orcid.com/0000-0002-0216-1831
Elena Yu. Zubareva, Department of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, Omsk State Medical University, Omsk, Russia; ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1156-682Х
Olga V. Pravdina, Department of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, Omsk State Medical University, Omsk, Russia; ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1804-6248
Elena V. Radul, Department of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, Omsk State Medical University, Omsk, Russia; ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9395-9792
Sergey O. Filippov, Clinical Dermatovenerological Dispensary, Omsk, Russia

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