Physical deformity of leprosy patients in Dr. Moewardi General Hospital Surakarta: A retrospective study

Background: The presence of physical deformities in patients with leprosy reflects the rate of disease transmission in the community, delay in detection, and ineffective treatment.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using medical record data of leprosy patients visiting Dr. Moewardi General Hospital Surakarta from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019.

Results: During the study period, there were 141 leprosy patients. The most common type of leprosy was lepromatous leprosy (46.7%), affecting 77 patients who also had physical deformities, which 12.9% of them were newly detected, 32.5% had the deformity during the treatment, and 54.5% after the treatment. Based on WHO disability grading, most of them were in grade 2, with the most affected area in hands (25.9%) in the form of finger deformity and claw hand followed by legs (22.1%) in the form of the ulcer; both legs and hands (15.6%) in the form of finger and toe deformity; face (5.2%) in the form of madarosis and nasal deformity; face, hand, and leg (1.3%). Most of these patients had no leprosy reaction (77.9%). The most common therapy given was MB MDT (90.9%).

Conclusion: The majority of leprosy patients have physical deformities despite undergoing complete treatment. Therefore it is necessary to follow up with the patients regularly even after completing the therapy.