Male sex is associated with a higher risk of multibacillary leprosy and leprosy-associated disability in northeast Brazil

Background: Leprosy remains a significant public health challenge despite diagnostic advances.

Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated the social and clinical characteristics of 302 patients treated at a reference outpatient clinic in northeastern Brazil (2010–2019).

Results: Men more frequently presented with multibacillary disease and disabilities than women. These clinical characteristics in men were associated with higher rates of alcohol consumption and hunting. No evidence was found for an association between diagnostic delays and disease severity.

Conclusions: This study underscores that social determinants may contribute to worse disease outcomes in men, highlighting the need for targeted policies.