Background and Objective:
Globally, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) account for a significant number of morbidities and deaths. During the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of STDs in Portugal. This study was designed to assess four-year trends in the percentage of confirmed STD cases among clinical notifications in a Portuguese city, from 2018 through December of 2022.

Methods:
The Portuguese Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAVE) provided data on STD notifications and confirmed cases. The data were analyzed to determine the percentage of confirmed cases among all notifications every year. Additionally, the percentage of confirmed cases by specific STDs was examined.

Results:
Based on the results of the analysis, the percentage of confirmed STD cases in the city has increased from 2018 to 2022. A percentage of 68% of confirmed cases was reported in 2018, which increased to 74.4% in 2019 and 83% in 2020. Further increases occurred in 2021 and 2022, reaching 84% and 88.9%, respectively. This trend, however, differed in specific STDs, with syphilis increasing from 14% in 2018 to 68% in 2022.

Conclusion:
It may be that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a restrictive effect on the number of confirmed cases. Many individuals with mild or no symptoms may have avoided seeking medical attention due to the pandemic, resulting in a higher percentage of confirmed cases. In part, this may be due to reduced access to medical care and diagnosis due to the pandemic, and some individuals may have neglected to visit a healthcare provider as a result. This has resulted in STDs that may otherwise have been diagnosed and treated early slipping through the cracks.