What do we actually know about leprosy worldwide?

Abstract

with leprosy varies from 1•2% to 39•8% (or why grade 2 disability ranges from 0•0% to 28•0%) 4 in different, but all equally poor, countries? The answers will only be possible when we understand that absence of diagnosis of leprosy is not the same as the absence of leprosy. The elimination target has become the mantra everywhere, but it is now meaningless. Although the zero-transmission strategy 1 is highly desirable, comprehension and acknowledgment of the real worldwide leprosy situation is imperative fi rst.

Correlation between therapy and lipid profile of leprosy patients: is there a higher risk for developing cardiovascular diseases after treatment?

“…There was a predominance of male (65.48%) than female with leprosy in the present study, in agreement with most reports about leprosy [2]. However, Montenegro et al [16] observed a trend towards a higher proportion of females, which can be explained by the fact that women have gained a more active role in the labour market.…”

“…According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 16 countries notified 1 000 or more cases in 2009. The highest rate of detection was found in Asia, with 9.39 cases per 100 000 inhabitants, followed by the Americas with 4.58 cases per 100 000 inhabitants [2]. …”

Estudo espacial da hanseníase na Bahia, 2001-2012: abordagem a partir do modelo bayesiano empírico local

“…Among them, (i) low capacity of health care services in identifying new cases of the disease, (ii) operational deficiency of leprosy programs, (iii) lack of municipal policies and plans for controlling the disease, (iv) low sensitivity of health service managers regarding the issue and (v) fragile integration between health surveillance and primary health care, in addition to (vi) weak epidemiology and data recording services, especially in smaller municipalities. [24][25][26] Apart from case underreporting, late diagnosis as a problem found in the state of Bahia needs to be highlighted. The main argument confirming this hypothesis is the rate of new cases with grade 2 physical disability at the time of diagnosis.…”

Análise epidemiológica da hanseníase na Microrregião de Tucuruí, Amazônia brasileira, com alto percentual de incapacidade física e de casos entre jovens

“…Entretanto, não foram encontrados, na literatura científica, levantamentos epidemiológicos da hanseníase na Microrregião de Tucuruí, o que, juntamente com os dados já encontrados na literatura sobre a situação do Pará em relação à hanseníase, especialmente a ausência de diagnóstico da doença 10 Na Microrregião, o número de casos em menores de 15 anos de idade correspondeu a 12,0% do total no período. A faixa etária predominante foi a de 15 a 39 anos (45,0%), tendo sido observada pouca alteração entre os municípios, principalmente quanto aos menores de 15 anos (desvio padrão -DP = 1,33 e coeficiente de variação -CV = 11,4%).…”