Socio-Demographic Factors and Deformity Among Patients With Leprosy in the Post-elimination Era: A Prospective Study

Introduction:

Leprosy, an ancient disease described in the Sushruta Samhita, remains a public health concern in India, despite its elimination at the national level. It is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves and may lead to disability and stigma if untreated. Early detection and timely multidrug therapy are essential for preventing complications and reducing its transmission.

Methods:

A prospective observational study was conducted in the Departments of Pathology and Dermatology at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Medical College in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, India, from April 2024 to July 2025. Thirty suspected cases of leprosy with deformities were evaluated clinically and investigated by slit skin smear and skin biopsy. Cases were categorized according to the World Health Organization (WHO) (National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)) criteria after obtaining ethical approval and informed consent.

Results:

A total of 30 leprosy cases were evaluated, with a maximum of patients aged 15-45 years (18, 60%) and male predominance (21, 70%). The majority of patients were from rural areas, illiterate, and of lower socioeconomic status. The maximum number of patients presented with lesions lasting for more than six months. All cases showed sensory loss with deformity, and 29 (96.6%) had acid-fast bacilli (AFB)-positive slit skin smear. Lepromatous leprosy was the predominant clinical type (20, 66.6%), confirmed by histopathology and classified by the Ridley-Jopling classification.

Conclusions:

Leprosy remains a concern despite its elimination status due to continued new cases and deformities. Early diagnosis, timely treatment, awareness, and proper follow-up are essential to prevent disability and reduce transmission.