Factors associated with neural alterations and physical disabilities in patients with leprosy in São Luis, State of Maranhão, Brazil
AUTOR(ES)
de Araujo e Araujo, Ana Eugenia Ribeiro, de Aquino, Dorlene Maria Cardoso, Goulart, Isabela Maria Bernardes, Pereira, Silma Regina Ferreira, Figueiredo, Ivan Abreu, Serra, Humberto Oliveira, de Almeida Fonseca, Poliana Cristina, de Jesus Mendes Caldas, Arlene
FONTE
Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop.
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO
2014-08
RESUMO
Introduction Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk factors that are associated with neural alterations and physical disabilities in leprosy patients at the time of diagnosis. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 155 leprosy patients who participated in a program that aimed to eliminate leprosy from São Luis, State of Maranhão. Results Patients who were 31-45 years of age, were older than 60 years of age or had a partner were more likely to have a disability. Patients with partners were 1.14 times more likely (p = 0.025) to have disabilities of the hands. The frequency of disabilities in the feet among the patients with different clinical forms of leprosy was statistically significant. Conclusions The identification of risk factors that are associated with neural alterations and physical disabilities in leprosy patients is important for diagnosing the disease because this approach enables physicians to plan and prioritize actions for the treatment and monitoring of patients.
Documentos Relacionados
- Diversity and dynamics of airborne fungi in São Luis, State of Maranhão, Brazil
- Association analysis of human leukocyte antigen class II (DRB1) alleles with leprosy in individuals from São Luís, state of Maranhão, Brazil
- Molecular characterisation of Bartonella species in cats from São Luís, state of Maranhão, north-eastern Brazil
- Prevalence and genetic diversity of astroviruses in children with and without diarrhea in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
- Analysis of dengue cases according to clinical severity, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil