Progression of acral bone resorption in multibacillary leprosy.
Although leprosy became a curable disease after implementation of the Global Strategy for the Elimination of Leprosy (WHO), mutilations and deformities are still commonplace in endemic countries. Hence, it remains important to evaluate the prevalence rate and the risk factors of acral bone resorption in the multidrug therapy (MDT) era. A cohort of 105 newly-diagnosed adult multibacillary leprosy patients admitted for treatment between 1990-1992 was surveyed until 1999. Progression of bone resorption (BR) in cured leprosy patients was observed up to 8 years after release from MDT. Twenty three percent of the patients were found to have acral resorption. BR was found to be associated with male sex, grade of disability at diagnosis with other deformities and with the occurrence of four or more lepra reactions. Patient surveillance after release from MDT continues to be a necessary procedure in individuals with disabilities and recurrent or persistent reactions.
Illarramendi
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X
Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Radiology Department, Evandro Chagas Hospital, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brésil.
Carregal
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E
Nery
J A
JA
Sarno
E N
EN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods; D000368:Aged; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015439:Leprosy, Borderline / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D015440:Leprosy, Lepromatous / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007917:Leprostatic Agents