title: Risk factors for ML Flow seropositivity in leprosy patients.
abstract: The early diagnosis of leprosy, its correct classification and the risk factors related to seropositivity have become important for patient treatment and disease control, especially where the responsibility for treatment has been transferred to basic health care centers. This descriptive, exploratory study using logistic regression was undertaken to evaluate the association between the variables of sex, age, mode of detection, number of skin lesions and affected nerves, disability grade and bacilloscopy with the results of the ML Flow serological test in 1,072 new leprosy cases in 13 municipalities in Minas Gerais State. Seropositivity (50.7%) was statistically associated with patients 15 years-old or over (OR:2.6) and those with more than five skin lesions (OR:7.5), more than one affected nerve (OR:2.4) and a positive bacilloscopic index (OR:5.5 for 0<BI<2 and OR:191.2 for BI>or=2), thus contributing to the appropriate classification and treatment of patients.
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Program in Health Sciences: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. cida@grossi.com.br
authors.forename: Maria Aparecida de Faria
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Grossi
authors.forename: Maria Ana Araújo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Leboeuf
authors.forename: Ana Regina Coelho de
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bührer-Sékula
authors.forename: Carlos Maurício de Figueiredo
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Antunes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007918:Leprosy / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D006017:Glycolipids; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; C045169:phenolic glycolipid I, Mycobacterium leprae