Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Leprosy Reactions and Associated Risk Factors in Malagasy People from 2012 to 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Leprosy is a transmissible infectious disease while cutaneous and neurological manifestations vary according to the patient's immunity. It is a chronic disease with acute immunological complication called leprosy reactions. Leprosy remains endemic in Madagascar. The objective of this study is to characterize the epidemiological and clinical profile of leprosy and leprosy reactions and to determine the risk factors for leprosy reactions. Methods: This was a retrospective, case-control study over a period of 10 years from January 2012 to December 2021 conducted among leprosy patients of the University Hospital Joseph Raseta Befelatanana. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors for leprosy reactions. Results: Of the 161 patients selected, 53 patients had a leprosy reaction. There were 91 males and 70 females with a mean age of 35.8 years (±15,47). The borderline lepromatous type was the most common clinical form. The prevalence of lepromatous reaction was 33%. Type 1 and type 2 reactions were found in 41.50% and 45.28% of cases respectively. The average time to develop leprosy reactions after the initiation of multidrug therapy was 5.80 months (±3.91). From multivariate analysis, the risk factors identified were: male gender [OR=2.64 (95% CI: 1.80-9.57), p=0.02], positive BI [OR=3.53 (95% CI: 2.41-48.98), p=0.02], MB treatment regimen [OR=8.87 (95% CI: 1.23-3.57), p=0.008)], and poor adherence to treatment [OR=1.97 (95% CI: 1.34-12.95), p=0.0354]. Conclusion: The knowledge of these risk factors allows for early diagnosis and treatment of leprosy reactions to prevent the morbidities due to leprae disease such as amputations and disabilities that are a source of stigma.