Degree of physical disability and clinical-epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with leprosy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the degree of physical disability and the clinical-epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with leprosy at the dermatology outpatient clinic of the State University of Pará (UEPA). Methods: This is a study conducted with medical records of patients diagnosed with leprosy at the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. The sample was evaluated by descriptive statistics, considering measures of central tendency, variance and absolute and relative frequencies. The chi-square test of adherence was used for categorical evaluation of the data. Results: The sample was characterized in equal proportions for both sexes, age group and occupation, with a mean age of 48 years. There was a predominance of patients from the Metropolitan Region of Belém. The predominant form was dimorphic (p<0.0001). Degree of disability 0 predominated in the pre-treatment (p<0.0001). Clinical signs at the time of diagnosis include hypochromic or erythematous plaques, with the presence of infiltration (p<0.0001). Leprosy reactions were mainly expressed as Type 1. Conclusion: The predominance of disability grade 0 is positive because the consequences of higher grades are psychological damage and functional limitation. Thus, early diagnosis is the greatest tool for preventing physical disabilities in the population.