title: [Evaluation of the degree of incapacity of patients with a diagnosis of leprosy at a dermatology service in the state of São Paulo].
abstract: IINTRODUCTION: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that can lead to physical incapacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 167 patients diagnosed with leprosy between 2003 and 2007 were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the patients (60%) presented physical incapacity at the time of diagnosis: 34% with grade I and 26% with grade II. It was observed that the degree of incapacity had a direct correlation with the duration of the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Leprosy is still diagnosed late, which may contribute towards maintaining this endemic disease.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Dermatologia, Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima, Bauru, Bauru, SP. cinthiameira@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Cinthia Janine Meira
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Jaison Antônio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Barreto
authors.forename: Leticia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fogagnolo
authors.forename: Leticia Arsie
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Contin
authors.forename: Priscila Wolf
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Nassif
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors