title: Leprosy: a close mimic in a rheumatology clinic.
abstract: Cutaneous and neurological manifestations of leprosy are readily diagnosed. However, physicians sometimes fail to recognize that leprosy may present with a rheumatic symptoms. A plethora of rheumatic manifestations are associated with leprosy, particularly with lepra reactions. A diligent examination for skin lesions/nerve involvement may uncover the diagnosis of leprosy in a patient referred for a rheumatological disorder. To highlight the fact that leprosy can mimic several rheumatological disorders, we have discussed a few representative cases seen over the past two years at our rheumatology clinic in a teaching hospital. In all these cases, a diagnosis of leprosy was made when the patient was referred for a rheumatic complaint.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medicine and Rhbeumatology, TN Medical College, Mumbai.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Samant
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Nadkar
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Vaidya
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chhugani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balaji
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Borges
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003622:Dapsone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012219:Rheumatology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003622:Dapsone; D011241:Prednisone