01755nas a2200349   4500000000100000008004100001260001700042653001500059653001000074653000900084653002200093653001100115653002600126653001100152653001100163653002400174653001200198653000900210653001600219653001500235653001700250653001600267100001300283700001500296700001400311700001800325245007800343300001000421490000700431520095300438022001401391       2009                            d  c2009 Jul-Aug10aAdolescent10aAdult10aAged10aAged, 80 and over10aBrazil10aEpidemiologic Methods10aFemale10aHumans10aInformation Systems10aleprosy10aMale10aMiddle Aged10aRecurrence10aTime Factors10aYoung Adult1 aDiniz LM1 aMoreira MV1 aPuppin MA1 aOliveira MLWD00a[Retrospective study on leprosy relapse in the State of Espírito Santo].  a420-40 v423 a<p>Leprosy relapse is the reappearance of the disease after regular treatment with current regimens and discharge due to cure. In this retrospective and descriptive cohort study, the aim was to evaluate the characteristics of cases of leprosy relapse in the State of Espírito Santo between 2000 and 2005. The investigation strategies consisted of monitoring the SINAN entries, with file analysis and case discussions at the State Reference Center. One hundred and four cases of relapse were studied, representing 1.12% of the new cases detected over this period. The greatest frequency was between 21 and 60 years of age; 59.6% were men; 44.2% presented relapse more than five years after discharge; 66.4% were multibacillary; and 42.2% presented positive bacilloscopy (complete bacilli) and therefore were relapse cases. Negatives bacilloscopy was observed in 57.8%. Prospective studies should be conducted to establish the real relapse rate.</p>  a1678-9849