Scientific Journal of Dermatology and Venereology
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): Scientific Journal of Dermatology and Venereology

Sexual Orientation and HIV Coinfection Among Serofast Syphilis Patients: A Retrospective Analysis in Surakarta, Indonesia

Labitta Pachira Aquaira (Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret / Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Rina Purnamasari (Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret / Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Nanda Kurnia Ramadhan (Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret / Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Ammarilis Murastami (Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret / Universitas Sebelas Maret Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Syphilis and its serofast state — persistent low-level non-treponemal reactivity after adequate therapy — complicate the assessment of cure, particularly where HIV coinfection is common, and Indonesian data are scarce. Objective: To profile serofast syphilis patients and compare the determinants of HIV coinfection. Methods: Retrospective analytic review of electronic medical records of all serofast syphilis patients attending RSUD Dr. Moewardi, Surakarta (January 2020–April 2026). Proportions are reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI); HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups were compared by Fisher exact and chi-square tests with odds ratios (OR) and Cramér's V, multivariable logistic regression and receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Of 46 patients, 91.3% were male, 45.7% aged 20–30 years, 39.1% had late latent syphilis, and 80.4% were HIV-coinfected (95% CI 66.8–89.3). Men who have sex with men accounted for 73.9% and strongly predicted HIV coinfection (OR 17.73, 95% CI 3.26–96.34; p<0.001; adjusted OR 41.56; AUC 0.838). Other characteristics were similar, and estimates were imprecise given the small comparison group. Conclusion: Serofast syphilis in this setting reflects a young, male, MSM, HIV-coinfected population; sexual orientation best distinguishes coinfection, supporting integrated HIV monitoring rather than reflexive re-treatment.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

sjdv

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions

Description

Focus Scientific Journal of Dermatology and Venereology (SJDV) focused on the development of medical sciences especially dermatology, venereology and aesthetics medicine for human well-being. Scope Scientific Journal of Dermatology and Venereology (SJDV) publishes articles which encompass all ...