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Leprosy in Togo: retrospective study of 2630 cases over 15 years

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the evolutionary trends, the clinical forms of leprosy cases notified in Togo and to map them. Methods: This was a retrospective study from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2014 on all leprosy cases notified by all districts to the national leprosy control program (PNLL). Results: A total of 2,630 new cases of leprosy were notified. The mean annual incidence was 175.33 cases with extremes of 73 to 266 cases. The median age of patients was 40 years, and the sex ratio was 1.13. Children aged 0 to 15 accounted for 5.5% of the cases. The plateau region in the center of the country had the highest annual incidence (around 800 cases). Clinically, multibacillary forms accounted for 74.2% of cases. All patients were treated with multidrug therapy (MDT). The WHO grade 2 disease was found in 15% of patients and 9.5% were lost to follow-up. Conclusion: Our results confirm the elimination of leprosy in Togo. There is a high incidence of leprosy in some areas of the country, which may raise fears of a resurgence of the disease.

More information

Type
Journal Article
Author
Kombate K
Teclessou JN
Saka B
Tabe-Djato GL
Akakpo S
Mouhari-Toure A
Pitche P