Publication

Leprosy in the post-elimination era: a clinico-epidemiological study from a northern Indian tertiary care hospital.

Arif T, Amin S, Adil M, et al. Acta dermatovenerologica Alpina, Pannonica, et Adriatica. 2019; 28 (1) : 7-10.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Despite being eliminated from India in 2005, there are still a considerable number of leprosy cases.

METHODS: A prospective hospital-based study involving all leprosy patients attending the leprosy clinic at the Department of Dermatology from January 2015 to December 2016.

RESULTS: A total of 220 patients visited the leprosy clinic during the study period. Most of the patients (48.7%) were 20 to 40 years old. Multibacillary disease was more common in females (84.7%) than males (67.6%), and in rural patients (80.9%) than urban patients (64.8%). Borderline lepromatous leprosy was the most common (38.2%) type of leprosy seen, followed by lepromatous leprosy (28.2%) and borderline tuberculoid leprosy (21.4%).

CONCLUSIONS: Despite elimination, leprosy continues to be a health problem in this part of the world. We have shown that females and the rural population are more susceptible to multibacillary disease.

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Journal Article

Author

Arif T

Amin S

Adil M

Dorjay K

Raj D