OBJECTIVE: Rapid and simple tests for diagnosing nerve function impairment (NFI) in leprosy are required in integrated settings. We examined whether simplified tests performed by newly trained general health workers (GHWs) have comparable diagnostic accuracy to the reference test conducted by experienced physiotherapists.
DESIGN: This multi-centre study from India and Bangladesh evaluated three simplified tests named: ILEP Learning Guide Two (M2), Indian dance (M3), and a questionnaire (M4) in 408 people affected by leprosy. Sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the three tests were calculated using the full assessment (M1) as reference. Se and Sp were calculated at both whole body and individual nerve levels: whether any NFI and if single NFI (voluntary muscle testing of lid gap, eye closure, little finger out, thumb up and foot up, sensory testing of hands and of feet) was present.
RESULTS: M2 had 83% Se and 69% Sp, M3 had 76% Se and 84% Sp and M4 had 85% Se and 46% Sp in diagnosing any NFI. At the level of single NFI, M2 was most or similarly accurate in diagnosing single NFIs with highest prevalence (ST feet, ST hands, little finger out, thumb up), compared to M3 and M4.
CONCLUSIONS: ILEP Learning Guide Two (M2) and Indian dance (M3) were found to be the most accurate simplified tests for diagnosing the presence of NFI compared to the reference. M2 was the most useful test, because of greatest accuracy for most of the common types of NFI and inclusion of sensory testing of the hands. M2 is considered to be a useful tool in the hands of GHWs with time constraints in integrated settings.
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