Clinical variables associated with disability in leprosy cases in northeast Brazil

Abstract

All authors contributed equally to his work. AbstractIntroduction: The clinical outcomes of leprosy include complications such as physical disabilities and deformities that vary according to the degree of impairment of nerve trunks. Knowledge of the factors that lead to the development of these complications is important for disability prevention programs. This study aimed to evaluate clinical factors associated with the occurrence of physical disability in leprosy cases. Methodology: This was a retrospective study of 2,358 cases of leprosy in Aracaju, northeast Brazil, between 2001 and 2011. Analysis was done using the Chi-square test and logistic regression model. Results: Significant factors associated with disability were found to be male gender, having more than two affected nerves, multibacillary leprosy classification, leprosy reaction, and lepromatous leprosy. The multivariate analysis revealed that the associated factors included having more than two affected nerves, leprosy reaction (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.36 to 3.01), the multibacillary form (aOR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.84 to 4.08), and lepromatous leprosy (aOR: 4.87, 95% CI: 2.86 to 16.08). Conclusions: The number of affected nerves, leprosy reaction, operational classification, and clinical presentation were identified as the main factors associated with the development of disability in leprosy patients.

Leprosy in the elderly population of Alagoas

“…A cross-sectional study conducted in Fortaleza from November to December 2010 with a sample of 51 patients obtained some sociodemographic data similar to Alagoas. In terms of disability, 25 (49.1%) patients with grade I or II disability were identified, while 14 (27.5%); 11 (21.6%) and 26 (51.0%) of clients had grade zero disability 27 . According to the Ministry of Health, grade zero disability at the time of diagnosis is a national trend, revealing the importance of early diagnosis of notified cases as a leprosy control strategy 4 .…”

Fatores sociodemográficos associados ao grau de incapacidade física na hanseníase

“…A proporção de 13,3% (n=43) de casos novos em menores de 15 anos observada neste estudo é preocupante e superior a encontrada por outros pesquisadores [12][13]15 . Tal resultado tem importante significação epidemiológica, por denotar a precocidade da exposição ao bacilo e a transmissão ativa na comunidade, particularmente nas famílias que coabitam no mesmo domicílio 16 .…”

“…A exclusão à educação afeta o acesso ao emprego, à formação e renda, e aumenta a vulnerabilidade à pobreza e às doenças. Ao passo que níveis mais elevados de escolaridade têm sido considerados um fator determinante para a melhora da doença, bem como um fator de proteção para a ocorrência de incapacidade entre os casos de MH 13 .…”

“…qual os homens apresentaram 1,8 vezes maior risco de desenvolverem incapacidades do que as mulheres. Da mesma forma, outro estudo, realizado no nordeste brasileiro, em Aracaju, identificou que os homens apresentaram 1,5 mais chances de terem incapacidades quando comparados às mulheres13 .…”

The lack of counselling and passively case detection affecting the occurrance of grade 2 disability in Sampang

“…Menurut Santos (2015), kecacatan kusta 2,15 kali berisiko pada pasien yang berumur 15-60 tahun dibandingkan dengan pasien di bawah 15 tahun. Sedangkan risiko kecacatan pada pasien laki-laki sebesar 1,47 kali dibanding pasien perempuan.…”