[Evaluation of the degree of incapacity of patients with a diagnosis of leprosy at a dermatology service in the state of São Paulo].
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.
Alves
Cinthia Janine Meira
CJ
Serviço de Dermatologia, Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima, Bauru, Bauru, SP. cinthiameira@yahoo.com.br
Barreto
Jaison Antônio
JA
Fogagnolo
Leticia
L
Contin
Leticia Arsie
LA
Nassif
Priscila Wolf
PW
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