Functional limitations after surgical or antibiotic treatment for Buruli ulcer in Benin.
Almost half of patients have functional limitations after treatment of Buruli ulcer disease. Antibiotic treatment (along with surgery) was introduced in the National Program for Buruli ulcer in Benin in 2005. The aim of this study was to compare functional limitations in patients who were treated by antibiotics, surgery, or both, using a validated questionnaire. One hundred seventy-nine former patients in Lalo, Benin were retrieved and interviewed in their village. Hospital records were used to gather data about size of lesion at presentation and treatment provided. No significant differences in resulting functional limitations were found between the different treatments. Larger lesions (> 15 cm cross-sectional diameter) at presentation; lesions on a joint, muscular atrophy, and amputation were all associated with a higher risk for functional limitations. Advantages of antibiotic treatment may involve other domains, like costs of treatment or a change in help-seeking behavior.
Barogui
Yves
Y
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Tropical Medicine and AIDS, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Building F4-222, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Johnson
R Christian
RC
van der Werf
Tjip S
TS
Sopoh
Ghislain
G
Dossou
Ange
A
Dijkstra
Pieter U
PU
Stienstra
Ymkje
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054312:Buruli Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents