Life table methods in which the cumulative probability of relapse in successive periods is calculated are preferable to the presentation of overall relapse rates. Their use facilitates the comparison of relapse rates and trends from different studies independent of duration of follow-up. Results from various studies including data from Malawi indicate that, (1) unlike after dapsone monotherapy, the cumulative probability of relapse in multibacillary patients is near to zero after WHO/MDT if strict definitions of relapse are used and, (2) the cumulative probability of relapse may approach 5% in paucibacillary patients 10 years after completion of WHO/MDT. On the whole, the epidemiological relevance of relapses is insignificant and future treatment regimens should be evaluated concerning their efficacy in preventing disabilities rather than relapses.
BT - Indian journal of leprosy C1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7622929?dopt=Abstract CN - Infolep Library - available DA - 1995 Jan-Mar IS - 1 J2 - Indian J Lepr LA - eng N2 -Life table methods in which the cumulative probability of relapse in successive periods is calculated are preferable to the presentation of overall relapse rates. Their use facilitates the comparison of relapse rates and trends from different studies independent of duration of follow-up. Results from various studies including data from Malawi indicate that, (1) unlike after dapsone monotherapy, the cumulative probability of relapse in multibacillary patients is near to zero after WHO/MDT if strict definitions of relapse are used and, (2) the cumulative probability of relapse may approach 5% in paucibacillary patients 10 years after completion of WHO/MDT. On the whole, the epidemiological relevance of relapses is insignificant and future treatment regimens should be evaluated concerning their efficacy in preventing disabilities rather than relapses.
PY - 1995 SP - 35 EP - 44 T2 - Indian journal of leprosy TI - Epidemiological aspects of relapses in leprosy. VL - 67 SN - 0254-9395 ER -