Global, regional, and national trends of syphilis from 1990 to 2019: the 2019 global burden of disease study

BACKGROUND: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum, and the infection source is syphilis patients. This study aimed to estimate the incidence, mortality rate, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of syphilis to improve the understanding of the current global situation of syphilis. METHODS: This study collected data on syphilis incidence, mortality, and DALYs from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease database. RESULTS: The global number of incident cases and age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) increased from 8,845,220 (95% UI: 6,562,510–11,588,860) in 1990 to 14,114,110 (95% UI: 10,648,490–18,415,970) in 2019 and 160.03/100,000 persons (95% UI: 120.66–208.1) to 178.48/100,000 persons (95% UI: 134.94–232.34), respectively. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in the ASIR was 0.16 (95% CI: 0.07–0.26). The EAPC in the ASIR associated with high and high-middle sociodemographic indices increased. The ASIR increased among males but decreased among females, and the incidence peaked among males and females between the ages of 20 and 30 years. The EAPCs in the age-standardized death rate and age-standardized DALY rate decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and ASIR of syphilis increased worldwide from 1990 to 2019. Only the regions with high and high-middle sociodemographic indices showed an increase in the ASIR. Moreover, the ASIR increased among males but decreased among females. The age-standardized death rate and DALY rate both declined worldwide. The increase in the global ASIR of syphilis is a challenge. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-023-15510-4.