Monitoring grade-2 disability rate and applicability of chemoprophylaxis in leprosy control: report of the information consultation, London, United Kingdom, 12-13 November 2009.

The Informal Consultation on Monitoring Grade-2 Disability Rate and Applicability of Chemoprophylaxis in Leprosy Control was held in London, United Kingdom on 12-13 November 2009. The objectives were to review current trends of Grade-2 disabilities among new cases, to project future scenarios, explore ways to validate reports, and to develop models to see the association between Grade-2 disabilities and delay in detection. In addition, past and current studies on use of anti-leprosy drugs for chemoprophylaxis were to be reviewed and recommendations made on possible areas for research. The meeting concluded that uniformity in the collection of Grade-2 disability is important and that WHO Grade-2 disability grading is to be used. Pilot projects on implementing chemoprophylaxis under routine programme conditions and using standard definition of "contacts" were recommended to better understand the operational issues. This report presents the proceedings of the Consultation, including the deliberations and recommendations made.