Comparison of the clinical efficacy of penicillin and ceftriaxone sodium in the treatment of neurosyphilis with psychiatric symptoms.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the clinical efficacy of penicillin and ceftriaxone sodium in the treatment of neurosyphilis with psychiatric symptoms. METHODS:50 neurosyphilis with mental symptoms patients were randomly divided into penicillin group (4 million units, Q4h) and ceftriaxone sodium group (1 g, Q12h). The total treatment time was 14 and 15 days respectively.The activity of daily living scale (ADL), brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) were scored as the measurement of efficiency in living ability, mental symptoms and cognitive function. RESULT:There were no significant differences in ADL, MMSE and BPRS between the penicillin group and the ceftriaxone sodium treatment group (p > 0.05). After treatment, the score of BPRS and ADL decreased from baseline, while MMSE scores increased from baseline, having a main time effect (F=31.098,F=26.342,F= 79.916; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION:Penicillin or ceftriaxone sodium are both effective in the aspect of mental symptoms, cognitive function and life ability among neurosyphilis with psychiatric symptoms patients.