title: Clinical and epidemiological study of leprosy cases in the University Hospital of Brasília: 20 years -- 1985 to 2005.
abstract: Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy, is an infectious disease still prevalent in Brazil. It is a chronic illness with acute immunological phenomena known as leprosy reactions. In the Federal District of Brazil, the University Hospital of Brasília is the reference centre for leprosy care. The study aimed to characterize the clinical and epidemiological profile of Hansen's disease patients at the University Hospital of Brasília, by descriptive, retrospective analysis of 1,124 patients over the period from 1985 to 2005. The pattern of leprosy in this study demonstrated that type 2 leprosy reactions were common, especially in the lepromatous form and presented a direct correlation with the bacilloscopic index. The prevalence and frequency of severe complications, such as leprosy reactions, emphasize the importance of the ongoing study of leprosy and the need for continual improvement in the scope of knowledge concerning its treatment.
authors.affiliation: Tropical Medicine Department, Medical School, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil. gpenna@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Gerson Oliveira
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Penna
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Lucas Souza Carmo
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.forename: Luciana Rabelo de
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Marcela Bahia Barretto de
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Verena Portela
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Carreiro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007918:Leprosy / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult