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Epidemiological Study on the Evolution of Leprosy in the Last 20 Years in Brazil

Abstract
Hansen`s disease is an infectious, chronic and highly disabling disease. It is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a bacillus that has high infectivity and low pathogenicity. Furthermore, it is classified as a serious public health problem in Brazil. The skin patches are manifested through pigmentary or dyschromic spots, plaques,infiltrations, nodes or lumps, hypoesthesia, anesthesia or even hyperesthesia. As the disease progresses, neurological manifestations become evident, generating numbness, loss or paralysis of the affected nerve in addition to anhidrosis. The purpose of this work is to carryout an epidemiological study consulting DATASUS, analyzing data from 1999 to 2019 regarding patients who had already been diagnosed on Brazilian territory with the chronic infectious disease in question.Based on this information, the number of cases was analyzed according to periodicity, age group, degree of mortality, regionality and sex in order to comprehend the evolution of Hansen`s disease in the last 20 years. Therefore, according to the study, epidemiology in Brazil showed a significant drop in the prevalence rate, reaching, in 2015, the lowest rate in the last 11 years. Even so, it is considered a country with a high burden for the disease, being second in the ranking of countries with the highest number of cases in the world, only behind India. In conclusion, the preventive actions are important in the routine of health services and should be recommended for all patients, through health education and preventive exercises.

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Type
Journal Article
Author
Flores D