title: Does clofazimine have a prophylactic role against neuritis?
abstract: A study was undertaken with the aim of testing the usefulness of clofazimine as a prophylactic agent against neuritis and nerve damage. A modified regimen, using initial high doses of clofazimine followed by regular multibacillary multidrug therapy (MB-MDT) WHO regimen, was given to a series of consecutive cases of high risk borderline leprosy patients, fulfilling defined selection criteria (n = 65). These patients were studied for the incidence of neuritis/Type I reaction, over a period of 2 years. Results were compared with a matched series of consecutive cases treated only with regular MB-MDT WHO regimen (n1 = 57). The difference in incidence rates of neuritis between the two groups was significant (p < 0.01), suggesting that clofazimine may have a useful prophylactic role against neuritis/Type I reaction and nerve damage.
authors.affiliation: Schieffelin Leprosy Research and Training Centre (SLR&TC), Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arunthathi
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Satheesh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002991:Clofazimine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003622:Dapsone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015439:Leprosy, Borderline / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009443:Neuritis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D007917:Leprostatic Agents; D003622:Dapsone; D002991:Clofazimine