[Visual evoked potential in leprosy patients].
OBJECTIVE
To verify the possible alterations in visual evoked potential of leprosy patients.


METHODS
Visual evoked potential examinations were performed in 13 Hansen disease patients, 5 of them with the multibacillary form and 8 with the paucibacillary. This was done at the moment of the diagnosis. The control group enrolled 15 health individuals, without Hansen disease.


RESULTS
The measurement result varied from 102.0 to 120.5 ms, with a mean of 110.1+/-5.7 ms. In the multibacillary form, the values varied from 109.0 to 120.0 ms, mean 111.1+/-5.4. In the paucibacillary, the values varied from 102.0 to 120.5 ms, with a mean of 109.5+/-6.1 ms. The latency values were significantly greater in Hansen disease patients (p<0.0001), even if multibacillary and paucibacillary forms were compared separately. However, there was no significant difference when the pauci- and multibacillary groups were compared.


CONCLUSIONS
The latency values were significantly greater in leprosy patients. A recommendation can be made for these patients, which is to be submitted to early visual evoked potential as a rule in order to investigate ocular complications, as well as to prevent damages.
de Andrade Neto
João Lins
JL
Fundação Altino Ventura, Recife, PE, Brasil.
Cunha
Ana Paula
AP
Barreto
Raquel Barbosa Paes
RB
de Arantes
Tiago Eugênio Faria
TE
Santos
Laura Patrícia Ferreira
LP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*