Enfrentamento da hanseníase em tempos de COVID-19: uma experiência exitosa de implantação de um sistema de rastreamento em área endêmica do Nordeste / Coping with leprosy in times of COVID-19: a successful experience of implementing a tracking system in an endemic area in the Northeast / Enfrentando la lepra en tiempos de COVID-19: una experiencia exitosa de implementación de un sistema de rastreo en un área endémica del Nordeste

Introdução: A COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) trouxe inúmeros desafios e sobrecarga ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), gerando dificuldades no enfrentamento das outras enfermidades endêmicas e negligenciadas no território brasileiro, entre elas a hanseníase. Objetivo: Relatar a experiência de enfrentamento da prevalência oculta de hanseníase por uma equipe de atenção primária à saúde do interior do estado de Sergipe durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: O projeto foi desenvolvido entre os meses de setembro de 2020 e janeiro de 2021 e caracterizou-se pela oferta de exame dermatológico aos indivíduos que buscaram atendimento na unidade de saúde do bairro Cidade Nova, em Estância, Sergipe. Confirmado o diagnóstico de hanseníase, foi introduzido o tratamento com esquema de poliquimioterapia da Organização Mundial da Saúde (PQT-OMS) e os contatos foram examinados, respeitando-se as medidas sanitárias de prevenção à contaminação pela COVID-19. Resultados: No período analisado, foram avaliados 235 indivíduos, sendo feitos seis diagnósticos clínicos de hanseníase (2,5%), entre os quais um em menor de 15 anos de idade. No município, durante todo o ano de 2020, registrou-se o total de nove casos novos de hanseníase. Sem o projeto, o coeficiente de detecção de casos novos de hanseníase no município seria de 4,3/100 mil habitantes e, com o projeto, esse coeficiente foi três vezes superior (12,9/100 mil habitantes). Conclusão: A oferta de exame dermatoneurológico durante consultas médicas de rotina em áreas vulneráveis permitiu evidenciar a prevalência oculta de hanseníase no bairro Cidade Nova, Estância. Além disso, ações dessa natureza permitem o diagnóstico precoce, evitando-se a evolução para incapacidades físicas.

Introduction: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) has brought numerous challenges and burdens on the Unified Health System (SUS, acronym in Portuguese), creating difficulties for the facing of other endemic diseases in the Brazilian territory, such as leprosy. Objective: To report an experience of coping with the hidden prevalence of leprosy by a primary health care team in the countryside of the state of Sergipe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The project was developed from September 2020 to January 2021 and was characterized for offering a dermatological examination to individuals seeking care at the health unit in the Cidade Nova neighborhood, Estância, Sergipe. For confirmed cases, treatment was instituted and household contacts were examined, respecting the measures to prevent contamination by COVID-19. Results: In the analyzed period, 235 individuals were evaluated, with six diagnoses of leprosy (2.5%), one under the age of 15. In 2020, the municipality registered nine total cases. Without the project, the detection rate of new leprosy cases in the municipality would have been 4.3/100,000 inhabitants and, with the project, this coefficient was three times higher (12.9/100,000 inhabitants). Conclusion: The offer of dermato-neurological exams during routine medical appointments made it possible to show the hidden prevalence of leprosy in the neighborhood of Cidade Nova, Estância. In addition, actions of this nature allow early diagnosis, preventing the occurrence of physical disabilities.

Introducción: La COVID-19 (enfermedad por coronavirus 2019) trajo numerosos desafíos y cargas al Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), creando dificultades para enfrentar otras enfermedades endémicas en el territorio brasileño, como la lepra. Objetivo: Informar una experiencia de afrontamiento de la prevalencia oculta de lepra por parte de un equipo de atención primaria en el interior del estado de Sergipe durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: El proyecto se desarrolló desde septiembre de 2020 hasta enero de 2021 y se caracterizó por ofrecer un examen dermatológico a las personas que buscaban atención en la unidad de salud del barrio Cidade Nova, en Estância, Sergipe. En caso de confirmarse los casos, se instituyó el tratamiento y se examinaron los contactos domiciliarios, respetando las medidas para prevenir la contaminación por COVID-19. Resultados: En el período analizado se evaluaron 235 individuos, con 06 diagnósticos de lepra (2,5%), uno menor de 15 años. En 2020, el municipio registró nueve casos en total. Sin el proyecto, la tasa de detección de nuevos casos de lepra en el municipio sería de 4,3/100 mil habitantes y, con el proyecto, este coeficiente era tres veces mayor (12,9/100 mil habitantes). Conclusión: La oferta de exámenes dermatoneurológicos durante las consultas médicas de rutina permitió mostrar la prevalencia oculta de la lepra en el barrio Cidade Nova, Estância. Además, acciones de esta naturaleza permiten un diagnóstico precoz, evitando la aparición de discapacidades físicas.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis of new leprosy cases in Northeastern Brazil, 2020.

This study analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the detection of new cases of leprosy in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The periods January-September 2019 and January-September 2020 were compared. There was a 44.40% reduction in the diagnosis of leprosy when comparing the two periods (1,705 in 2019 and 948 in 2020). There was a reduction in the number of municipalities with reported cases: 251 municipalities in 2019 and 202 in 2020, expressing a reduction of 24.25%. Considering only the months following the arrival of the virus (April-September), the reduction was 51.10%. An inverse correlation was observed between the number of new cases of leprosy and the cumulative number of cases of COVID-19 (Spearman's correlation coefficient = -0.840; P < 0.001) and the number of new monthly cases of COVID-19 (Spearman's correlation coefficient = -0.817; P < 0.001). A slight increase was also observed in the proportion of multibacillary cases in the state (70.38% in 2019 and 72.69% in 2020) as well as in the proportion of individuals with the degree of physical disability not assessed at diagnosis, whose proportion rose from 16.39% in 2019 to 22.53% in 2020. The negative impact of COVID-19 in tackling leprosy should be seen as a warning sign for health and political authorities.

Epidemiological, neurofunctional profile and prevalence of factors associated with the occurrence of physical disabilities due to leprosy in a reference center in Northeast Brasil: a sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological and neurofunctional profile, as well as the prevalence of factors associated with the occurrence of physical disabilities due to leprosy in a reference center in Northeast Brasil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 50 leprosy patients diagnosed in Juazeiro-Bahia. Variables analyzed: sex, age, history of leprosy in the family, time to diagnosis, clinical form, operational classification, degree of disability, eyes-hand-foot score, peripheral nerve function, muscle strength and sensitivity. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (χ² test or Fisher's exact, Poisson regression with robust estimation and prevalence reason were used. Significance of 5%). RESULTS: An equal distribution was found between men and women of economically active age and low education; multibacillary forms in men (64%) and paucibacillary forms in women (60%). 78% of individuals had some degree of disability and 64% had a compromised ulnar nerve. Plantar sensitivity was decreased in 66% of patients. The predictors of disability were: age ≥45 years (PR 1.44; p=0.005), no education (PR 1.21; p=0.013) and OMP score ≥6 (PR 1.29; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings show the importance of monitoring neural functions and developing measures that allow early diagnosis, the opportune method and the prevention of disabilities, especially in the male population.

Fatores associados à limitação de atividade em casos novos de hanseníase em município hiperendêmico do Nordeste, Brasil: estudo transversal / Factors associated with activity limitation in new leprosy cases in a Northeastern hyperendemic municipality, Brazil: a cross-sectional study / Factores asociados con la limitación de la actividad en nuevos casos de lepra en un municipio hiperendémico del noreste, Brasil: un estudio transversal

Introdução: A hanseníase é uma doença tropical negligenciada causada por Mycobacterium leprae. O Brasil é um dos principais países endêmicos para a doença, persistindo como problema de saúde pública. Além disso, é a principal doença infecciosa causadora de incapacidades físicas. Objetivos: Analisar a magnitude e os fatores associados à limitação de atividade nos casos novos de hanseníase diagnosticados no centro de referência do nordeste do Brasil. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal envolvendo 50 pessoas com diagnóstico de hanseníase. Foram coletadas variáveis clínicas e sociodemográficas além de aplicação da escala SALSA para análise da limitação funcional. Empregou-se regressão logística com cálculo de odds ratio. Resultados: A presença de limitações funcionais foi registrada em 32% (n=16) dos casos analisados, destacando-se sexo feminino (56,3%), idosos (37,5%), baixa escolaridade (87,6%), forma dimorfa (62,5%), classificação multibacilar (75,0%) e grau 2 de incapacidade física (50,0%). A limitação funcional esteve associada a faixa etária ≥45 anos (OR 3,80; p=0,047), classificação multibacilar (OR 4,28; p=0,021) e escore OMP ≥6 (OR 4,69; p=0,041). Conclusão: Observou-se elevada frequência de pessoas com incapacidade físicas. Os fatores associados à limitação funcional foram idade igual ou superior a 45 anos, classificação multibacilar e escore OMP maior ou igual a seis.

Introduction: Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Brazil is one of the main endemic countries for the disease, persisting as a public health problem. In addition, it is the main infectious disease that causes physical disabilities. Objectives: To analyze the magnitude and factors associated with activity limitation in new cases of leprosy diagnosed in the reference center in Northeastern Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 50 people diagnosed with leprosy. Clinical and sociodemographic variables were collected in addition to the application of the SALSA scale for the analysis of functional limitations. Logistic regression was used with the calculation of odds ratio. Results: The presence of functional limitations was registered in 32% (n=16) of the cases analyzed, especially female (56.3%), elderly (37.5%), low education (87.6%), dimorphic form (62.5%), multibacillary classification (75.0%), and degree 2 of physical disability (50.0%). Functional limitation was associated with an age range ≥45 years (OR 3.80; p=0.047), multibacillary classification (OR 4.28; p=0.021), and OMP score ≥6 (OR 4.69; p=0.041). Conclusion: There was a high frequency of people with physical disabilities. The factors associated with functional limitation were age equal to or greater than 45 years, multibacillary classification and OMP score greater than or equal to six.

Introducción: La lepra es una enfermedad tropical desatendida causada por Mycobacterium leprae. Brasil es uno de los principales países endémicos de la enfermedad, persistiendo como problema de salud pública. Además, es la principal enfermedad infecciosa que causa discapacidades físicas. Objetivo: Analizar la magnitud y los factores asociados a la limitación de la actividad en los nuevos casos de lepra diagnosticados en el centro de referencia del noreste de Brasil. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio transversal en el que participaron 50 personas diagnosticadas con lepra. Se recogieron variables clínicas y sociodemográficas además de la aplicación de la escala SALSA para el análisis de limitaciones funcionales. Se utilizó regresión logística con el cálculo del odds ratio. Resultados: La presencia de limitaciones funcionales se registró en el 32% (n=16) de los casos analizados, especialmente mujeres (56,3%), ancianos (37,5%), baja escolaridad (87,6%), forma dismórfica (62,5%), clasificación multibacilar (75,0%) y grado 2 de discapacidad física (50,0%). La limitación funcional se asoció con un rango de edad ≥45 años (OR 3,80; p=0,047), clasificación multibacilar (OR 4,28; p=0,021) y puntuación OMP ≥6 (OR 4,69; p=0,041). Conclusión: Hubo una alta frecuencia de personas con discapacidad física. Los factores asociados a la limitación funcional fueron edad igual o superior a 45 años, clasificación multibacilar y puntuación OMP mayor o igual a seis.

Epidemiological, neurofunctional profile and prevalence of factors associated with the occurrence of physical disabilities due to leprosy in a reference center in Northeast Brasil: a sectional study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological and neurofunctional profile, as well as the prevalence of factors associated with the occurrence of physical disabilities due to leprosy in a reference center in Northeast Brasil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 50 leprosy patients diagnosed in Juazeiro-Bahia. Variables analyzed: sex, age, history of leprosy in the family, time to diagnosis, clinical form, operational classification, degree of disability, eyes-hand-foot score, peripheral nerve function, muscle strength and sensitivity. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (χ² test or Fisher's exact, Poisson regression with robust estimation and prevalence reason were used. Significance of 5%). RESULTS: An equal distribution was found between men and women of economically active age and low education; multibacillary forms in men (64%) and paucibacillary forms in women (60%). 78% of individuals had some degree of disability and 64% had a compromised ulnar nerve. Plantar sensitivity was decreased in 66% of patients. The predictors of disability were: age ≥45 years (PR 1.44; p=0.005), no education (PR 1.21; p=0.013) and OMP score ≥6 (PR 1.29; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings show the importance of monitoring neural functions and developing measures that allow early diagnosis, the opportune method and the prevention of disabilities, especially in the male population.

Leprosy in the elderly population of an endemic state in the Brazilian Northeast (2001-2017): epidemiological scenario

Abstract This ecological study aims to analyze both the tendency and the characteristics of leprosy in the elderly population in the state of Bahia, 2001-2017. The tendency was analyzed through joinpoint regression. Epidemiological variables were also included in the study. The average detection rate was 38.73/100,000, with prevalence of men (45.19/100,000). A downward trend occurred in both genders, from 2004, with a greater magnitude in women (annual percent change [APC] = −3.4%). Men presented higher proportions of the multibacillary forms and physical disabilities. The epidemiological scenario indicates the need of implementation of actions that stimulate early diagnosis and treatment of the elderly population.

Leprosy in the elderly population of an endemic state in the Brazilian Northeast (2001-2017): epidemiological scenario.

This ecological study aims to analyze both the tendency and the characteristics of leprosy in the elderly population in the state of Bahia, 2001-2017. The tendency was analyzed through joinpoint regression. Epidemiological variables were also included in the study. The average detection rate was 38.73/100,000, with prevalence of men (45.19/100,000). A downward trend occurred in both genders, from 2004, with a greater magnitude in women (annual percent change [APC]=-3.4%). Men presented higher proportions of the multibacillary forms and physical disabilities. The epidemiological scenario indicates the need of implementation of actions that stimulate early diagnosis and treatment of the elderly population.

Characterization of leprosy in children under 15 years inan important municipality of north-eastern Brazil / Caracterização da hanseníase em menores de 15 anos em município prioritário do nordeste brasileiro

The presence of leprosy in children younger than 15 years is a strong indicator of the maintenance of the epidemiologicalchain of transmission and evidences of the early exposure. This study aims to identify the family, clinical andepidemiological characteristics of individuals younger than 15 years who were diagnosed with leprosy in the city ofJuazeiro-BA. This is an observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study. The study population consisted of all casesof leprosy diagnosed in children under 15 between 2012 and 2014, in the city of Juazeiro-BA. The ComplementaryProtocol for the Diagnostic Investigation of Cases of Leprosy in Children Under 15 (PCID <15) was used as the datasource. The protocol was completed at the time of diagnosis at the Leprosy Reference Centre of the municipality understudy. This document is part of the medical records of the patients being treated, and is filed in the outpatient clinic. Afterthe data collection, the data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 20. Adoption of significance was 95%. 42cases were diagnosed in the age group studied, and the mean annual detection coefficient was 24.85 cases / 100,000individuals in this age group. Of the total, 66.7% were female. The mean age of the girls was lower than the mean ageof the boys, with a significant difference between the genders (p = 0.021). The anamnesis showed that in 33.3% of thecases, the first diagnosis was wrong and leprosy was treated as other diseases. It is also noted that 54.8% of patientshad a family history of leprosy. The tuberculoid form and paucibacillary operational classification stood out (88.0% and90.5%, respectively). The study showed that PCID <15 years is an important instrument capable of identifying problemsin the quality of leprosy services, such as the fragility in the diagnosis of the disease in the population under 15 years

A presença da hanseníase em menores de 15 anos é um forte indicador da manutenção da cadeia epidemiológica detransmissão, além de evidenciar a exposição precoce. Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar as característicasfamiliares, clínicas e epidemiológicas dos indivíduos menores de 15 anos diagnosticados com hanseníase no municípiode Juazeiro/BA. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, transversal e descritivo. A população do estudo foi composta portodos os casos de hanseníase diagnosticados em menores de 15 anos entre 2012 e 2014, no município de Juazeiro/BA.Como fonte de dados foi utilizado o Protocolo Complementar de Investigação Diagnóstica de Casos de Hanseníaseem menores de 15 anos– PCID<15 anos, preenchidos no momento do diagnóstico no Centro de Referência emHanseníase do município estudado. Este documento é parte do prontuário dos pacientes atendidos e arquivadosno referido ambulatório. Após a coleta, os dados foram analisados utilizando o software SPSS, versão 20. Adotousignificância de 95%. Foram diagnosticados 42 casos na faixa etária estudada, sendo o coeficiente de detecção médioanual de 24,85 casos/ 100 mil indivíduos nessa faixa etária. Desse total, 66,7% eram do sexo feminino. A média deidade das meninas foi inferior à média de idade dos meninos, com diferença significativa entre os gêneros (p=0,021). Aanamnese mostrou que em 33,3% dos casos houve um primeiro diagnóstico errado, sendo a hanseníase tratada comooutras doenças. Chama atenção também que 54,8% dos pacientes tinham histórico de hanseníase na família. A formatuberculóide e a classificação operacional Paucibacilar destacaram-se (88,0% e 90,5%, respectivamente). O estudomostrou que o PCID<15 anos é um importante instrumento capaz de identificar problemas na qualidade dos serviçosde hanseníase, como a fragilidade no diagnóstico da doença na população menor de 15 anos

Grau de incapacidade física na população idosa afetada pela hanseníase no estado da Bahia, Brasil / Physical disability degree in the elderly population affected by leprosy in the state of Bahia, Brazil

Objetivo: Analisar o grau de incapacidade física na população idosa afetada pela hanseníase no estado da Bahia, entre 2001 e 2012. Métodos: Os dados referentes aos casos de hanseníase foram obtidos do Sistema Nacional de Agravos de Notificação. Variáveis analisadas: sexo, faixa etária, raça/cor, escolaridade, classificação clínica e operacional, grau de incapacidade física no diagnóstico e na alta. Foram calculados indicadores epidemiológicos relacionados à incapacidade física. Resultados: A hanseníase apresenta elevada magnitude na população idosa, com coeficiente de detecção de casos novos superior ao da população geral, situando-se em nível hiperendêmico. Quanto ao perfil epidemiológico da hanseníase em idosos, destaca-se: homens, faixa etária 60 a 69 anos, raça branca, baixa escolaridade, forma clínica dimorfa e classificação operacional multibacilar. 36,25% dos casos diagnosticados apresentavam incapacidade física no momento do diagnóstico, com destaque para o gênero masculino. Conclusão: A elevada proporção de indivíduos com incapacidades físicas no momento do diagnóstico sugere diagnóstico tardio e prevalência oculta da doença, sobretudo em indivíduos do gênero masculino

Objective: To analyze the degree of physical disability in the elderly population affected by leprosy in Bahia State, between 2001 and 2012. Methods: The data relating to cases of leprosy was obtained from National System of Notifiable Diseases. Variables analyzed gender, age, race/color, education level, clinical and operational classification, degree of physical incapacity in diagnosis and discharge. Epidemiological indicators related to physical incapacity were calculated. Results: The leprosy features high magnitude in the elderly population, with a coefficient of detection of new cases higher than the general population, situated at a hyperendemic level. As to the epidemiological profile of leprosy in elderly, stands out: men, age 60 to 69 years, white race, low education level, dimorphic clinical manifestation and multibacillary operational classification. 36.25% of diagnosed cases had a physical incapacity at the time of diagnosis, with emphasis on the masculine gender. Conclusion: The high proportion of individuals with physical incapacity at the time of diagnosis suggests late diagnosis and hidden prevalence of the disease, mostly in Individuals of the male gender