title: Incidence of disabilities among multi-bacillary cases after initiation of multidrug therapy and factors associated with the risk of developing disabilities.
abstract: Out of the 1724 new cases registered between 1985 to 1992, 1169 could be contacted. The overall incidence of disabilities was 6.8%. Age above 45 years, bacteriopositivity and thickening of three or more trunk nerves were associated with a higher risk of disabilities. Staff training, patient education and steroid availability in the field were the suggested methods of reducing the occurrence of disabilities in leprosy patients.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Community Health, CMC, Vellore.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Selvaraj
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prabakar
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muliyil
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007918:Leprosy / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged