Epidemiology and clinical features of patients with leprosy in a reference center in Paraguay

Abstract

Introduction: leprosy (Hansen's disease) is a neglected infectious disease that affects skin and peripheral nerves, triggering neuropathies and complications such as deformities and disabilities.
Objective: determine epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with Leprosy in the Centro de Especialidades Dermatológicas of the Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social of Paraguay, from January 2021 to December 2022.
Methodology: descriptive, observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study. Data management and analysis was carried out in an electronic spreadsheet (Excel from Microsoft Office 365 version 2405), then descriptive statistics were performed.
Results: 123 cases of leprosy were diagnosed, 45 (36.58 %) were women and 78 (63.42 %) were men; the ages were between 17 and 86 years, the most affected range was 41 to 50 years. 112 cases (91.06 %) were multibacillary leprosy. The most frequent sign was infiltrated plaque, present in 88 cases (71.54 %). 58 patients (47.15 %) presented lepromatous reactions, 31 cases of type 1
(53.45 %). 34 cases (27.64 %) presented grade 1 disability and 10 cases (8.13 %) grade 2 disability.
Conclusion: The profile of the patient with leprosy was male between 41 and 50 years, the majority being multibacillary cases. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential to reduce the burden of the disease and disabilities.