02865nas a2200277   4500000000100000008004100001260002500042653001100067653001900078653001400097653002100111653001700132653001200149100001600161700001400177700001500191700001600206700001600222700001200238245011100250856015300361300001000514490000700524520204200531022001402573       2026                            d  c10/2026bElsevier BV10aBrazil10aMicronutrients10aNutrition10aHansen's disease10aCase-control10aLeprosy1 aRepsold TAR1 aCollin SM1 aAmorim BBC1 ade Sena LMM1 aBongestab R1 aDeps PD00aNutritional status of patients with Hansen's disease (leprosy): A case-control study in an endemic setting  uhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405457726022849/pdfft?md5=5b90233caff0ac748ba8c60c33305b57&pid=1-s2.0-S2405457726022849-main.pdf  a1 - 70 v763 a<p><strong>Background</strong></p>

<p>Hansen's disease (HD, leprosy) is a major public health concern in Brazil. Its microbial aetiology means that nutritional status may be a significant factor in susceptibility and immune response.</p>

<p><strong>Methods</strong></p>

<p>Case-control study (n = 59 cases, n = 59 controls) conducted in Espírito Santo, Brazil from February to December 2025, assessing dietary intake, anthropometry, and biochemical markers of nutritional status.</p>

<p><strong>Results</strong></p>

<p>Cases were characterized by the multibacillary form of HD (n = 56, 94.9%), mostly the borderline type (81.4%, n = 48). Physical inactivity was more common among cases (81.4%) than among controls (42.4%) (p &lt; 0.001), but a higher porportion of cases reporting having a structured diet (86.4% <em>vs</em>. 45.8%, p &lt; 0.001). There was no difference in BMI (median 26.3 kg/m<sup>2</sup> <em>vs</em>. 27.2 kg/m<sup>2</sup>, p = 0.638), but cases exhibited lower skeletal muscle mass (median 25.7 kg <em>vs</em>. 31.4 kg, p = 0.005) and smaller peripheral circumferences (hip 103.5 cm <em>vs</em>. 112.0 cm, p &lt; 0.001; chest 98.0 cm <em>vs</em>. 101.5 cm, p = 0.021; thigh 49.0 cm <em>vs</em>. 53.3 cm, p &lt; 0.001), consistent with reduced skeletal muscle mass and smaller peripheral anthropometric measurements despite similar BMI, accompanied by higher leptin levels in cases (18.0 <em>vs</em>. 11.0 ng/mL, p &lt; 0.001). Cases had lower median levels (p &lt; 0.001) of haemoglobin (11.8 <em>vs</em>. 13.5 g/dL); vitamin B<sub>12</sub> (235 <em>vs</em>. 420 pg/mL), vitamin D (21.4 <em>vs</em>. 39.7 ng/mL), zinc (60.6 <em>vs</em>. 88.2 mcg/dL), and selenium (62.4 <em>vs</em>. 89.0 mcg/L).</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>

<p>HD is associated with multidimensional vulnerability, reflected in marked differences in micronutrient and biomarker levels that warrant further investigation, and that indicate a need to integrate routine nutritional screening into HD patient care.</p>
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