Demographic and clinical profile of leprosy patients in Lagos, Nigeria: a 17-year retrospective study

Nigeria continues to report over 2000 new leprosy cases annually. This retrospective study reviewed leprosy case records from 2006 to 2023 at a Teaching hospital (TH) and a Leprosy Treatment Referral Centre (LTRC) in Lagos, Nigeria. Demographic, clinical, and treatment data were analysed and challenges highlighted. At the TH, 96 leprosy patients (mean age 37.3 years; 63.5% male) were seen, and 75% had multibacillary disease. At the LTRC, 354 patients (mean age 42.5 years; 65% male) were seen, and 98.6% had multibacillary disease. Late presentation was common in both centres. Most patients received multi-drug therapy (MDT) at the LTRC, but 52 patients (19 from the TH; 33 from the LTRC) defaulted from care. Between 2017 and 2023, 25% of patients (including 2.1% aged <15 years) presented with Grade 2 disability. Leprosy cases have declined in Lagos, but delayed presentation, inadequate frontline diagnostic capacity and weak surveillance systems contribute to sustained morbidity. Strengthening health worker knowledge and surveillance in an integrated approach is essential for leprosy control.