A study from Tulane University, published in JAMA Network Open, used electronic health records from three New Orleans hospitals in a single system. The researchers analyzed 15 years of data beginning in 2011 and compared 1,469 adults with syphilis to 7,345 people without the infection, excluding anyone with prior cardiovascular disease.
After statistical adjustment, people with syphilis had higher risks of several major cardiovascular events. The results showed about twice the risk of aortic aneurysm or dissection, a 53% higher risk of ischemic stroke, a 92% higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke, a 31% higher risk of heart attack, and a 28% higher risk of peripheral artery disease. The study also reported a much higher risk of death, and the increased risk appeared mainly in patients whose infection progressed longer than a year.
Researchers noted this is the first US study to link syphilis with peripheral artery disease. The study did not find significant differences in heart failure or atrial fibrillation. Because it is retrospective, the findings show association but cannot prove causation.
Difficult words
- electronic health record — digital files with patient medical informationelectronic health records
- statistical adjustment — changing data to account for other factors
- aortic aneurysm — dangerous bulge in a main artery
- ischemic stroke — brain damage from blocked blood flow
- hemorrhagic stroke — brain bleeding that causes damage
- peripheral artery disease — narrowing of arteries outside the heart
- retrospective — looking back at past events or data
- association — a link or relationship between things
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Discussion questions
- How might this study change how doctors monitor patients with syphilis?
- Why is it important that a retrospective study can show association but not prove causation?
- The study found higher risk mainly when infection lasted longer than a year. What does this suggest about early diagnosis and treatment?
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