title: Effect of dapsone on haemoglobin concentration in patients with leprosy.
abstract: Haemolysis and frank anaemia from dapsone therapy of leprosy has been long recognized. However, the frequency and severity of this side-effect have not been well documented. We report herein a retrospective analysis of the effect of daily dapsone (generally 100 mg/day) on the haemoglobin concentration of 100 leprosy patients undergoing initial chemotherapy. The average haemoglobin was found to fall significantly by almost 2 g/dl, from 14.25 +/- 1.27 g/dl to a nadir of 12.31 +/- 1.61 (P less than 0.001). Eighty-three percent of patients had a fall of haemoglobin concentration of 1 g/dl or more, while in 16% of patients the haemoglobin fell greater than or equal to 3 g/dl. Increasing age was found associated with an increased magnitude of dapsone-related haemolysis (P less than or equal to 0.004). Decreasing the daily dose of dapsone was associated with an increased haemoglobin concentration (P less than 0.001%). We have concluded that dapsone commonly results in not only haemolysis but a significant decrease in haemoglobin concentration. This may have serious clinical implications, especially in endemic areas, where, owing to nutrition, malaria, and intestinal parasitism, the haemoglobin concentration is already compromised.
authors.affiliation: Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center, Carville, LA 70721.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Byrd
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gelber
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003622:Dapsone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005955:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D003622:Dapsone