Looking into Array of Clinical Presentations of Patients with Leprosy and their Clinico-epidemiological Profile: A Retrospective Study
Introduction: The prevalence of leprosy in India has decreased to <1 per 10,000 population by 2016 after the introduction of Multidrug Therapy (MDT) in 1982; still wide variations in Prevalence Rates (PR) continue to exist across the states and regions in the country. Aim: To determine the c...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/15055/49116_CE[Ra1]_F[SK]_PF1(AB_SHU)_PFA(NC_Pr_KM)_PN(KM).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: The prevalence of leprosy in India has decreased
to <1 per 10,000 population by 2016 after the introduction
of Multidrug Therapy (MDT) in 1982; still wide variations in
Prevalence Rates (PR) continue to exist across the states and
regions in the country.
Aim: To determine the current clinical profile of leprosy and
study various presenting features of patients with leprosy at a
tertiary care hospital in North India.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective study, based on seven
years data, was conducted on patients diagnosed and registered
in the leprosy clinic of a tertiary care hospital in North India,
from January 2013 to December 2019. Data regarding their
demographic details, presenting complaints, clinical features,
associated complications and treatment administered was
analysed and was entered into Microsoft Excel and presented
as tables.
Results: A total of 181 patients of leprosy were registered over
a period of seven years. There were 133 males and 48 females
with M:F ratio of 2.77:1. Of the total patients registered, 3.86%
were children (≤14 years) and 97.8 % patients were immigrants
from the adjoining states. The most common clinical type was
Multibacillary (MB) leprosy in 88.95% patients whereas most
frequent morphological type was Borderline Tuberculoid (BT)
leprosy (72.93%). Thirty-three (18.23%) patients presented with
leprosy reaction (Type 1 reaction in 16.6% and Type 2 reaction
in 1.66%). World Health Organisation (WHO) grade 2 deformities
(G2D) were diagnosed in 3 (1.66%) patients, with claw hand
being the most common deformity (1.10%). Anaesthetic to
hypoaesthetic patches were the most common presenting
feature (64.1%).
Conclusion: Despite statistical elimination, MB disease
and leprosy reactions are commonly seen as presenting
manifestations. It highlights the need for high quality leprosy
services including good referral system for an active case
detection. Varied clinical presentations of leprosy should be
contemplated while examining patients that can assist in an
early and better case detection that will prevent delay in therapy
and associated deformities and also decrease the transmission
of disease in the community. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |