title: [Patients from a reference center for leprosy: Rio de Janeiro and Duque de Caxias, 1986-2008].
abstract: The scope of this study was to compare epidemiological data on leprosy patients living in two cities with different socioeconomic and endemic profiles that were monitored in a single center of reference. A descriptive study was made of data from patients in the Souza Araújo Outpatient facility treated in the period 1986-2008, who were resident in the cities of Rio de Janeiro = 1353) and Duque de Caxias (n = 336).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among patients from Duque de Caxias, in comparison with patients from Rio de Janeiro, there was a higher proportion of cases: below the age of 15 years, multibacillary, higher initial bacilloscopic index (BI) and cases detected through surveillance of contacts. Patients in Duque de Caxias had lower average incomes and education levels. There were no statistically significant differences regarding gender, disability level, reaction in the diagnosis, final BI, bandonment and regularity of treatment. The differences found between the patients monitored in a single center of reference, could be partly related to contextual differences between the municipalities. On the other hand, it was observed that the provision of treatment and monitoring can minimize the effect of different contextual factors on health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos. 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro RJ. marianah@ioc.fiocruz.br
authors.forename: Mariana de Andrea Vilas Boas
authors.initials: Mde A
authors.lastname: Hacker
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sales
authors.forename: Edson Cláudio Araripe
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Albuquerque
authors.forename: Emanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rangel
authors.forename: Jose Augusto Costa
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Nery
authors.forename: Nadia Cristina
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Duppre
authors.forename: Euzenir Nunes
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Sarno
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014504:Urban Health