Clinical Characteristics of Deformities in Leprosy Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Disability assessment in leprosy patients is a very important factor in the evaluation of the effectiveness of a leprosy elimination program. Little information exists on deformities of leprosy in Bangladesh. To describe the pattern and prevalence of deformities in leprosy patients after leprosy has been declared eliminated in Bangladesh in 1998.

Materials and methods: A descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out in Chittagong Medical College Hospital using the registered records of patients between the periods 2004 and 2013. No of respondence was 670.

Results: Out of 670 leprosy patients 213 (31.79%) had a deformity. The prevalence of deformity was for grade 1: 92 (43.20%) for the grade 2: 121 (56.80%). Among the patients with deformity males 144 (67.60%) out numbered females 69 (32.40%). Four age groups were considered. The calculated age-specific cumulative detection rates showed the highest case detection in > 40 years group at 81 (38.02%). The rate of children (<14 years) was less at 7 (3.29%). Of the 213 patients with deformity, the BT patients counted 79 (37.08%), which was higher than other forms of leprosy. Among the 121 patients with limb deformity 57 (8.50%) had claw hand followed by wrist drop 31 (4.63%), foot drop 30 (4.48%). Three (0.45%) had a nerve abscess, 27 (4.02%) had a trophic ulcer and 7 (1.05%) patients had ocular complications.

Conclusion: The grade 2 deformities among newly detected leprosy patients still occur high. Claw hand was the most common deformity in the upper limbs, whereas foot drop and trophic ulcer were the most common deformities in the lower limbs. Although leprosy according to the WHO has been eliminated globally, the disease continues to be a significant cause of peripheral neuropathy, deformity, disability and disfigurement in some developing countries like Bangladesh.

JCMCTA 2020 ; 31 (1) : 113-119