title: Relapses after fixed duration multiple drug therapy: the AMFES cohort.
abstract: Relapse rates after multiple-drug therapy (MDT) have been low, although there remains a concern about the possibility of late relapse in those with an initially high bacterial load. In all, 502 patients in the AMFES cohort completed fixed-duration MDT and are included in this report. There have been no confirmed relapses in the AMFES cohort, in a follow-up period of up to 8 years after completion of treatment, even in the 57 cases with an initial average bacillary index of > or = 4.0, 20 of whom have been followed for more than 5 years after ceasing MDT. Methods of diagnosing a relapse are discussed.
authors: School of Community Health Science, Nottingham University, UK. psaunderson@leprosy.org
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Gebre
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Saunderson
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Byass
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007917:Leprostatic Agents