Risk factors for ML Flow seropositivity in leprosy patients.
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.
Grossi
Maria Aparecida de Faria
MA
Post-graduate Program in Health Sciences: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. cida@grossi.com.br
Leboeuf
Maria Ana Araújo
MA
Andrade
Ana Regina Coelho de
AR
Bührer-Sékula
Samira
S
Antunes
Carlos Maurício de Figueiredo
CM
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
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D006017:Glycolipids; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; C045169:phenolic glycolipid I, Mycobacterium leprae