Glucose tolerance test in leprosy.

Glucose tolerance test was carried out in 43 cases of leprosy. They included cases of tuberculoid, borderline, lepromatous leprosy and those with lepra reaction. It was observed that normal curve was common in tuberculoid leprosy. Flat glucose tolerance curve was observed in borderline and lepromatous leprosy. However, the diabetic curve was common in Lepra reaction. Fasting blood sugar was low in lepromatous leprosy and it tended to be marginally high in lepra reaction. Normal GTT response was observed in those with duration of disease between 0-6 months, flat curves in those with duration of disease between 7-12 months while diabetic curve was more common in those with disease duration of more than 2 years.

Adreno-cortical function in leprosy.

Adreno cortical function was carried out in 43 cases of leprosy. These cases were further divided into tuberculoid, borderline, lepromatous and Lepra reaction. Serum and urinary electrolyte, urinary 17-Ketosteroid and 17-Ketogenic steroid and plasma cortisol levels were measured to assess the adrenocortical status in these different forms of leprosy. It was observed that these parameters were within normal limit in tuberculoid leprosy except low value of urinary 17-Ketogenic steroid. The borderline and Lepromatous leprosy cases revealed low values of urinary sodium, potassium and 17-Ketogenic steroid and high level of serum potassium. However, the cases of lepra reaction revealed low value of serum and urinary sodium and potassium, urinary 17-Ketogenic steroid. The basal plasma cortisol level was high in this group but it was statistically insignificant.