Seasonality of the demand for nontreponemal test in a private laboratory in the city of Niterói - RJ

Abstract

Introduction: Syphilis is a systemic, chronic, curable, and unique bacterial infection in humans, transmitted sexually, mainly. When untreated, it evolves to stages that range in severity and can affect different body organs and systems. Objective: To delineate whether or not there are significant changes in the demand and positivity of the nontreponemal test (VDRL), after Carnival or at other times in the analyzed years, from January 2014 to December 2019, in a laboratory in the  private health network of Niteroi. Methods: A retrospective, quantitative and descriptive study was carried out aiming at defining the profiles of the population that seeks a particular laboratory to undergo the VDRL from 2014 to 2019. Data collection was carried out through documental analysis of the results, with an authorization from the laboratory, preserving the confidentiality of patients. The seasonal decomposition, which is a monthly time series, was performed to assess the trend and exponential trend using the additive model. Results: A total of 34,817 tests were performed, with 1,637 positive VDRL results in the analyzed years, using the SPSS program. There was an increase in the number of exams in 2019 (6,488), maintaining the distribution during this year. Conclusion: Both the demand and the positivity of VDRL tests have increased significantly over the years, finding no seasonality in relation to reactive VDRL tests.