European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Among communicable diseases, Leprosy remains a leading cause of peripheral
neuropathy and disability worldwide. Disabilities and deformities are of major concern as it
triggers social, economic and psychosocial problems of leprosy patients. Objectives: To detect
deformities and disabilities of limb in leprosy patients and grading them according to WHO
deformity and disability grading system (2007). Materials & Methods: It was a hospital-based,
cross sectional study. One hundred and forty six patients with leprosy attending the Dermatology,
Venereology and Leprosy outpatient department were included in the study. All patients were
examined for all kinds of deformities of hands, feet and face. Slit skin smear and biopsy was done
in all new cases. Results: Mean age of patients was 38.1(±15.6) years. The mean duration of
disease was 2.6 (±4.1) years. A statistically significant (p<0.001) number of patients with
deformity presented to hospital by 2 years of onset. Proportion of deformities was greater in males,
in farmers and in people belonging to lower socioeconomic status (p=0.008). Multibacillary
patients had higher rate of deformities of hands and feet and a statistically significant (p<0.05)
number of MB patients had grade 2 ocular deformity (WHO 2007).
Conclusion: Early identification of disease and deformities can help in educating the patients
about leprosy and thus prevention of progression to adverse sequelae.