@article{article,
  keywords = {General Earth and Planetary Sciences, General Energy},
  author = {V{\'e}ras GCB and Lima J{\'u}nior JF and C{\^a}ndido EL and Maia ER},
  title = {Risk factors for physical disability due to leprosy: a case-control study},
  abstract = {<p>ABSTRACT Background The main consequence of leprosy is physical disability. Objective To identify risk factors of physical disabilities due to leprosy. Method Case-control study carried out at the Notifiable Diseases Information System {\textendash} Leprosy in the 9th Regional Health District of the state of Para{\'\i}ba, Brazil, between 2001 and 2014. Cases were individuals who presented degree of physical disability 1 or 2 at diagnosis or discharge; and controls included individuals with degree of physical disability 0 also at diagnosis and discharge. A 1:1 (case:control) proportion was used. Data were analyzed using the Epi Info and BioEstat software packages. Results The following cases and controls (428 each) at risk for physical disability were analyzed: aged >=15 years (96.5\%, OR=0.33, p\&lt;0.01), males (59.3\%, OR=1.82, p\&lt;0.01), low education level (70.4\%, OR=2.66, p\&lt;0.01), multibacillary classification (72.9\%, OR=9.29; p\&lt; 0.01), number of lesions >=5 (34.3\%, OR=0.18, p\&lt;0.01), and number of nerves affected >=1 (12.6\%, OR=0.05; p\&lt;0.01). Late diagnosis, missing/inadequately filled data, absence/non-registration of dermato-neurological evaluation, and low control of contacts were observed. Conclusion The need for active surveillance and early detection of leprosy cases and contacts is highlighted.</p>
},
  year = {2021},
  journal = {Cadernos Sa{\'u}de Coletiva},
  publisher = {FapUNIFESP (SciELO)},
  issn = {2358-291X, 1414-462X},
  url = {https://www.scielo.br/j/cadsc/a/gs3KGC9sM5VTh9Nq3NpYT9M/?format=pdf\&lang=en},
  doi = {10.1590/1414-462x202129030182},
  language = {eng},
}