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Publication
Epidemiological, clinical, and operational aspects of leprosy patients assisted at a referral service in the state of Maranhão, Brazil.
Corrêa RGCF, Aquino DMC, Jesus Mendes Caldas A, et al.
Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical.
Scielo.
2012;
45
(1) :
89-94.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and operational aspects of leprosy carriers.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study leprosy patients assisted in São Luis, MA, was performed.
RESULTS: Of the 85 cases analyzed, 51.7% were male participants, and 60% were brown. Concerning the age, 54.8% of women were between 35 and 49 years, and 57.6% of men were between 20 and 34 years. Lepromatous leprosy was found in 42.3% of cases, and the multibacillary form was found in 72.9%. The skin smear was positive in 42.3%. The occurrence of reaction was found in 43.5% of cases, and 83.5% had no Bacillus Calmette-Guérin scar. Leprosy in the family was reported by 44.7% of the patients. Most of the individuals (96.4%) lived in houses made of brick with more than three rooms (72.6%) and two persons per room (65.1%). Concerning the level of education, 41.4% of women and 34.1% of men had more than one to three years of education. The most evaluated age group in the beginning of the treatment was that of 35 to 49 years with a Grade 0 incapability (64.5%), and that in the end was the age group of 20 to 34 (29.9%) with Grade 0, 30.7% Grade 1, and 11.5% Grade 2.
CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of multibacillary forms found in this study and the cases in family members point out delayed diagnoses. Thus, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important in decreasing the outcome of disabilities.
Translated Abstract
RESUMO
INTRODUÇÃO: A hanseníase é uma doença infecto-contagiosa causada pelo Mycobacterium leprae. Este estudo descreve os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e operacionais de portadores de hanseníase.
MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, realizado no município de São Luis, MA.
RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 85 casos, sendo 51,7%, do sexo masculino e cor parda (60%). As mulheres tinham entre 35 a 49 anos de idade (54,8%) e os homens entre 20 a 34 (57,6%). A forma virchowiana foi mais frequente (42,3%), a classe operacional a multibacilar (72,9%) e baciloscopia positiva em 42,3%. Houve ocorrência de reação em 43,5%, e ausência da cicatriz da Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) em 83,5%. Hanseníase na família foi referida por 44,7%. As casas eram de alvenaria (96,4%), tinham mais de 3 cômodos (72,6%), dormindo duas pessoas por cômodo (65,1%). Quanto aos anos de estudo, 41,4% de mulheres e 34% de homens tinham de um a três anos. A faixa etária entre 35 e 49 anos foi a mais avaliada com Grau 0 de incapacidade, no início do tratamento (64,5%) e no final, foi entre 20 e 34 e destes 29,9% tinham Grau 0, 30,7% Grau 1 e 11,5% Grau 2.
CONCLUSÕES: A frequência das formas multibacilares e casos em familiares indicam diagnósticos tardios, reforçando a importância do diagnóstico precoce e tratamento adequado, para a redução do aparecimento de incapacidades.
Palavras-chaves: Hanseníase. Perfil clínico. Perfil epidemiológico.
Author
Corrêa RGCF
Aquino DMC
Jesus Mendes Caldas A
Amaral DKCR
França FS
Mesquita ERRBP
