Pre- and post-surgical evaluation of the impact on Hansen disease sequealae patients' quality of life submitted to orthopedic surgery for closure of chronic plantar ulcers.

INTRODUCTION: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that still persists as a public health problem in Brazil. Plantar ulcers are serious complications due to leprosy neuropathy and intensify the isolation and stigma of these individuals. The difficulty in closing these lesions associated with the fetid odor negatively impact the quality of life of people with these lesions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical, socioeconomic conditions, degree of satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) of patients after healing of chronic ulcers on feet submitted to orthopedic surgery. METHODOLOGY: This is a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and observational study carried out with 92 people after surgical treatment of chronic leprosy plantar ulcers. These patients were submitted to a semi-structured questionnaire raising questions of an epidemiological, socioeconomic and perception of quality-of-life order, comparing before and after the surgical procedure. RESULTS: Decrease in indicators - alcohol consumption, tobacco consumption, average monthly cost of analgesic medications, fetid wound odor, foot pain and number of dressings performed weekly; Recurrence of lesions in 55.4 % of cases, related to irregular use or lack of shoes and insoles; Improvement in self-perception of Quality of Life (QoL) in 89.1 % of patients after surgery. CONCLUSION: Orthopedic surgical treatment with resection of plantar bony prominences and skin grafting is an effective therapeutic method for closing chronic plantar ulcers in leprosy, resulting in a decrease in the financial costs employed and in an important improvement in the Quality-of-Life parameters of the individuals undergoing to this procedure. The availability and regular use of shoes and insoles is crucial to prevent recurrence of these injuries.

Prevalence of plantar ulcer and its risk factors in leprosy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Plantar ulcers are a leading complication of leprosy that requires frequent visits to hospital and is associated with stigma. The extent of burden of ulcers in leprosy and its risk factors are scant impeding the development of targeted interventions to prevent and promote healing of ulcers. The aim of this review is to generate evidence on the prevalence of plantar ulcer and its risk factors in leprosy. METHODS: Databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, BVS), conference abstracts and reference lists were searched for eligible studies. Studies were included that reported a point prevalence of plantar ulcer and/or its "risk factors" associated with development of ulcers (either causatively or predictively), including individual level, disease related and bio-mechanical factors. We followed PRISMA guidelines for this review. Random-effects meta-analysis was undertaken to estimate the pooled point prevalence of ulcers. Reported risk factors in included studies were narratively synthesised. This review is registered in PROSPERO: CRD42022316726. RESULTS: Overall, 15 studies (8 for prevalence of ulcer and 7 for risk factors) met the inclusion criteria. The pooled point prevalence of ulcer was 34% (95% CIs: 21%, 46%) and 7% (95% CIs: 4%, 11%) among those with foot anaesthesia and among all people affected by leprosy, respectively. Risk factors for developing ulcers included: unable to feel 10 g of monofilament on sensory testing, pronated/hyper-pronated foot, foot with peak plantar pressure, foot with severe deformities, and those with lower education and the unemployed. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of plantar ulceration in leprosy is as high as 34% among those with loss of sensation in the feet. However, the incidence and recurrence rates of ulceration are least reported. The inability to feel 10 g of monofilament appears to be a strong predictor of those at risk of developing ulcers. However, there is a paucity of evidence on identifying those at risk of developing plantar ulcers in leprosy. Prospective studies are needed to estimate the incidence of ulcers. Identifying individuals at risk of ulcers will help design targeted interventions to minimize risk factors, prevent ulcers and promote ulcer healing.

Eficácia e eficiência das palmilhas na prevenção e reabilitação de ulceras plantares em pés neuropaticos na hanseníase e diabetes / Efficacy and efficiency of insoles in the prevention and rehabilitation of plantar ulcers in neuropathic feet in leprosy and diabetes

As neuropatias periféricas causadas pela hanseníase e diabetes podem causar perda de sensibilidade protetora, trofismo muscular e função autonômica da pele, e consequentemente deformidades em pés e desequilíbrios biomecânicos e da distribuição da pressão, gerando alto risco de desenvolvimento de úlceras plantares. Um dos meios para prevenir é o uso de palmilhas customizadas associadas ou não ao uso de calçados ortopédicos. O objetivo dessa revisão foi verificar a eficácia, eficiência das palmilhas na prevenção e reabilitação de úlceras plantares e conhecer novidades acerca do design e do material. Foram realizadas pesquisas nas plataformas PUBMED, LILACS, EMBASE e Cochrane e foram incluídos todos os modelos de artigos, livros, monografias, no total foram encontrados 17 estudos. Apesar das palmilhas serem eficazes no alívio de pressão plantar e na diminuição da incidência das ulceras plantares, neste estudo foi encontrado poucas evidências sobre inovações e durabilidade das palmilhas que levassem em conta o custo benefício e sua efetividade.

Plantar ulcer occurrence among leprosy patients in Northern Nigeria: A study of contributing factors.

Background: The study was conducted in three major leprosy referral hospitals in Northern Nigeria, which are NKST Rehabilitation Hospital, Benue State, Yadakunya Leprosy Hospital, Kano, and National Tuberculosis/Leprosy Training Hospital, Zaria. The main objective of the study was to investigate factors responsible for the occurrence of ulcers among leprosy patients reporting to the leprosy referral hospitals. Materials and Methods: An analytic study of case-control design was used, with patients having plantar ulcers as cases and those without as control. Semi-structured was administered to all cases and controls. Results: A total of 242 patients were studied; 124 patients (51.2%) had plantar ulcers whereas 118 (48.8%) had no ulcers (controls). A Chi-square test was used in the analysis to compare cases and controls. The study found differences between cases and controls with respect to patients release from treatment (RFT), gender, availability and utilization of footwear, age, occupation, and educational status. Footwears were provided to most patients, i.e. 60.8% late (i.e., after developing plantar ulcers); however, there was very good utilization of the footwears among those who had the footwears, 65.3%. Knowledge of self-care was higher among 64.5% of cases compared to only 28.1% of the controls. Conclusion: Ulcer still remains a major problem among leprosy patients, especially RFT (76.6%) and most cases are provided with footwear late. Self-care knowledge is higher among cases than controls.

RésuméContexte: L'étude a été menée dans trois hôpitaux majeurs de référence pour la lèpre dans le nord du Nigéria, qui sont l'hôpital de réadaptation NKST, l'État de Benue, l'hôpital de la lèpre de Yadakunya, Kano et l'hôpital national de la tuberculose et de la lèpre, Zaria. L'objectif principal de l'étude était d'étudier les facteurs responsables de l'apparition d'ulcères chez les patients atteints de lèpre signalant des hôpitaux de référence pour la lèpre. Matériaux et méthodes: une étude analytique de la conception cas-témoins a été utilisée, les patients ayant des ulcères plantaires comme cas et ceux qui n'ont pas le contrôle. Semi-structuré a été administré à tous les cas et contrôles. sRésultats: Au total, 242 patients ont été étudiés; 124 patients (51,2%) avaient des ulcères plantaires tandis que 118 (48,8%) n'avaient pas d'ulcères (témoins). Un test du Chi-carré a été utilisé dans l'analyse pour comparer les cas et les témoins. L'étude a révélé des différences entre les cas et les contrôles par rapport aux patients libérés du traitement (RFT), le sexe, la disponibilité et l'utilisation de la chaussure, l'âge, la profession et le statut scolaire. Les chaussures ont été fournies à la plupart des patients, soit 60,8% en retard (c'est-à -dire après développement d'ulcères plantaires); cependant, il y avait une très bonne utilisation des chaussures parmi ceux qui avaient les chaussures, soit 65,3%. La connaissance de l'autosoins était plus élevée chez 64,5% des cas que dans seulement 28,1% des témoins. Conclusion: L'ulcère reste un problème majeur chez les patients atteints de lèpre, en particulier les TF (76,6%) et la plupart des cas sont munis de chaussures en retard. La connaissance des soins personnels est plus élevée parmi les cas que les témoins.

Fatores de risco para a ocorrência das úlceras plantares decorrente da hanseníase / Factors for plantar ulcers caused by leprosy

A hanseníase é doença infectocontagiosa de evolução lenta, causada pelo Mycobacterium leprae. A afinidade do bacilo da hanseníase por células do sistema nervoso periférico acomete, principalmente, os nervos superficiais da pele e dos nervos periféricos, causando neuropatia autonômica, sensitiva e motora que acarreta a diminuição ou ausência da sensibilidade e fraqueza muscular nos olhos, mãos e pés. Se não forem tratadas a tempo, podem provocar o surgimento de incapacidades físicas. Uma das incapacidades físicas mais comuns, vistas na prática clínica, são as úlceras na região plantar, que ocorre devido o comprometimento do nervo tibial, ocasionando déficits motores, sensitivos e autonômicos no trajeto do mesmo. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar os fatores de risco para a ocorrência das úlceras plantares em pacientes diagnosticados com hanseníase no Hospital Eduardo de Menezes da Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais no período de 2005 a 2016. Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico, do tipo observacional, transversal e analítico. A população foi composta pelos casos de hanseníase notificados no Hospital Eduardo de Menezes, no período de 2005 a 2016. Para a análise univariada foram utilizados os testes Qui-quadrado de Pearson ou teste exato de Fisher e teste de Mann-Whitney, com significância estatística de 5% (p < 0,05). Na análise multivariada por meio da árvore de decisão utilizando o algoritmo CHAID. Os resultados mostraram que forma clinica, grau de incapacidade física na alta, nervo acometido e o não uso de palmilhas ou calçado adaptado antes de surgir à úlcera se mostraram fatores de risco para a ocorrência de úlcera plantar. Foi identificado que entre os pacientes com grau de incapacidade 0 na alta, não existem casos de úlcera. Já entre aqueles com grau 1, e a forma clínica é DD ou DV a probabilidade de úlcera aumenta para 8,7%. Os pacientes com grau de incapacidade 2 na alta, nervo acometido tibial ou nervos fibular e tibial, mas que usavam palmilha ou calçado especial tem probabilidade de úlcera de 65,9%. Se o paciente não usava palmilhas ou calçados especiais antes de surgir à úlcera a probabilidade de ocorrência da úlcera aumenta para 95,7%. O presente estudo evidenciou a necessidade do diagnóstico precoce da hanseníase, como também da eficiente associação das intervenções medicamentosas e não medicamentosas por meio das técnicas de prevenção de incapacidade e uso de palmilhas acomodativas e/ou calçados especiais.(AU)

Leprosy is an infecto-contagious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy bacillus' affinity for neural system cells affects mainly superficial skin nerves and periferal nerve roots, resulting in autonomic, sensitive and motor neuropathy, that leads to reduction or absency of sensitivity, and muscular weaknessin the eyes, hands and feet. If not timely treated, these can result in physical disabilities. Amid the most frequent physical disabilities seen in clinical practice are plantar ulcers, wich are caused by tibial nerve impairement, leading to motor, sensitive and autonomic deficits along tibial nerve trajectory. The objective os the present article was to identify risk factors for plantar ulcers in patients who were diagnosed for leprosy at Eduardo Menezes Hospital, Minas Gerais State Hospital Foundation, from 2005 to 2016. This is an epidemiological, observational, transversal, analytical study.The studied population was made of notified cases of leprosy, diagnosed at Eduardo de Menezes Hospital from 2005 to 2016. Pearson's qui-square, Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney's test, with 5% statistical significancy (p < 0,05), where used for univariate analysis. For multivariate analysis, CHAID algorythm decision tree was used. Results showed that clinical type, physical disability grade at the time of discharge, impaired nerve and absence of use of insoles or adapted shoes before the appearance of ulcers where risk factors for plantar ulcers ocurrence. For patients with 0 disability grade at discharge there where no cases of plantar ulcers. For those with grade 1 disability, clinical type was a relevant risk fator. For patients with grade 1 disability and type V or DT clinical types, probability was also zero. On the other hand, for DD and DV clinical types, probabilities rise up to 8,7%. Patients with grade 2 at discharge with or without fibular or other nerve impairement also have no probability of plantar ulcers ocurrence. AMong patients with grade 2 disability, tibial nerve impairment or both tibial and fibular nerve impairment, but who made use of insoles ou adapted shoes had a 65,9% probability of developing ulcers. In patients who do not use insoles ou special shoes before ulcer formation,probability of developing ulcers rises up to 95,7%. Present study has highlighted the need of early diagnosis of leprosy, and also the need of the use of efficient association of drug and non-drug techniques of disability prevention and use of insoles and/or special shoes.(AU)

A study to assess the usage of MCR footwear in West Bengal, India.

The routine use of appropriate footwear is an important intervention to prevent disability in leprosy. We conducted a study to assess utilisation of MCR footwear and observe the condition of footwear. Fifty-six persons affected by leprosy who had been provided MCR footwear in the preceding 3 years were paid home visit and administered a semi-structured interview schedule. Although a total of 30 participants reported using special footwear currently, only 10 reported usage during participation in social events. On observation, 16 pairs were found to be in an unusable condition owing to foot deformity and another 14 pairs in poor condition. In order to ensure greater utilisation of special footwear, the National Programme may seek local solutions through engagement of cobblers and shoemakers with appropriate training in customisation. Persons affected by leprosy should be empowered to appreciate the benefits of special footwear and to take care of themselves, including taking responsibility for using their footwear.

Reduction of plantar pressures in leprosy patients by using custom made shoes and total contact insoles.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to observe whether our custom made shoes and total contact insoles can effectively increase the plantar contact areas and reduce peak pressures in patients with leprosy. DESIGN: In the rehabilitation laboratory of a tertiary medical center. Six male and two female leprosy patients were recruited in this study. In this study, parameters related to foot pressures were compared between these patients wearing commercial available soft-lining kung-fu shoes and our custom made shoes with total contact insoles. The custom made shoes were made with larger toe box and were able to accommodate both the foot and the insoles. Custom made total contact insoles were made with the subtalar joints under neutral and non-weight-bearing positions. The insole force measurement system of Novel Pedar-X (Novel, Munich, Germany) was used to measure the plantar forces. The parameters of contact area (cm(2)), peak plantar pressures (kPa), contact time (s), and pressure time integral (kPa s) were measured. RESULTS: There were significant contact area increases in the right and left foot heel areas, left medial arch, and second to fifth toes after wearing the custom made shoes and insoles. There were significant decreases in peak plantar pressures in bilateral heels, left lateral midfoot, bilateral second to fourth metatarsal areas, and left fifth metatarsal head after wearing the custom made shoes and insoles (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Plantar ulceration is a common serious disability in leprosy patients. As a result, footwear and measures able to reduce plantar pressures may be beneficial in preventing plantar ulcers from occurring in these patients. Our custom made shoes and total contact insoles were proven to be effective in increasing contact areas and decreasing peak pressures in plantar surfaces, and may therefore be a feasible treatment option in preventing leprosy patients from developing plantar ulcers.

Self care groups and ulcer prevention in Okegbala, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the three self-care Groups on ulcer prevalence and readmission rates in Okegbala hospital. DESIGN: A retrospective, descriptive study. The evaluation combined four data collection methods namely (i) records survey, (ii) semi-structured interviews of individual members of self-care groups, (iii) group discussions and (iv) key informant interviews. RESULTS: Record surveys show that the ulcer prevalence has decreased by almost 75% since the adoption of the self-care group; admissions to hospital for ulcer care have reduced, and the mean interval between admissions has increased by 7 months. Semi structured interviews and group discussions show that all members have a greater sense of control of their ulcers and general health; and that self-care groups have a potential of catalysing community solidarity and development. CONCLUSIONS: This small study shows that self-care groups are valuable for reducing ulcers and giving members a greater sense of control of their ulcers and general health resulting in fewer hospital admissions. We recommend a multi-centre, controlled, prospective study incorporating different settings (e.g. urban, rural, near hospitals, within field leprosy programmes) to test these findings. Such a study has the potential of influencing policy and health-service reorientation of ulcer care in future.

The sustainability of self-care in two counties of Guizhou Province, Peoples' Republic of China.

This paper presents the findings of a follow-up survey conducted in two rural counties of Guizhou Province, PRC where a programme to prevent disabilities amongst leprosy affected people had been conducted. An initial 3-year programme had been conducted. One year after the final evaluation of the programme, a team was deployed to conduct a survey in the area. The objective of the survey was to establish the level of adherence to self-care. It was found that 87% of the sample of people living in leprosy villages that were surveyed (n = 31) and 50% of the sample of people living in general communities (n = 50) had continued to apply self-care. Interviews with family members suggested that 18 of the 27 self-care practising subjects living in the leprosy villages received encouragement or active support from family members (9 were single people). Twenty three of the 25 self-care practising subjects living in the communities also received family support (2 were single people). Family support was a highly significant factor influencing adherence in the community (OR = 15.8, CI = 3.0 to 83) but it may not have been the primary motivating factor in the leprosy villages where single people were just as likely to have adhered to self-care than people who were living in families (OR 0.5, CI = 0.06 to 4.2). The prevalence of foot ulceration among that population was recorded but a hypothetical association between the prevalence of foot ulceration and self-care adherence could not be investigated due to insufficient data to address the potential effects of confounding variables. Thirty-eight percent of subjects who did not practice self-care presented with ulceration or foot cracks (n = 29) compared with only 25% of people who did (n = 52).

Self-care programme to prevent leprosy-related problems in a leprosy colony in Champa, Chattisgarh.

A self-care programme aimed at preventing leprosy-related physical disabilities in a leprosy colony in Champa, Chattisgarh, India, is described. Once the initial resistance was overcome through persistent and caring attitudes, the residents accepted the challenges for self-care. The outcome at the end of one year showed significant decline (41%) in ulcer rates, significant use of MCR footwear (43%), and significant proportion (over 90%) of patients and their families practising and helping in self-care activities.

Prevention-of-impairment-and-disabilities activities in leprosy after integration: role for physical medicine and rehabilitation personnel.

Referral options for specialist care for prevention of impairment and disabilities are imperative in order to make an integrated leprosy control system work. This requires an understanding of the disease, in addition to the special skills for managing specific disabilities. Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) personnel are better equipped to handle leprosy-related disabilities. They are well versed with biomechanical aspects of deformities, and are competent to provide splints, orthoses, etc. to the needy persons, and they can assess sensory motor functions and deformities. If PMR personnel can be trained in deformity correction they can become valuable resource persons for secondary and tertiary care of leprosy-affected persons. PMR persons, therefore, have the opportunity to volunteer themselves for this job to fill the void created by the fading out of leprosy surgeons. They will also have to bear additional responsibility to train general health care workers so as to empower them to look after the needs of those disabled by leprosy, many of whom will continue to be available for a number of years to come.

The threshold for protective sensation that prevents neuropathic ulceration on the plantar aspect of the foot: a study of leprosy patients in a rural community in India.

The protective sensation threshold is an important concept in the prevention of plantar ulceration in leprosy patients. Previous studies have suggested that skin with sensory nerve damage on the plantar aspect of the foot which can still detect the 5.07 Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (approximately 10 g) is highly unlikely to develop ulceration. While the threshold is thought to be less than the 610 filament (approximately 75 g), no work just testing adjacent to current ulcers has been undertaken to assess this more accurately. This is important, as it has been shown that a significant proportion of healthy individuals who wear sandals or go barefoot in India may fail to detect this 5.07 filament in at least some areas of the sole, especially in older age groups, and in certain cases the 5.46 filament (approximately 30 g) is the lightest detected. In an attempt to address this problem, a cross-sectional study on 26 current plantar ulcers in male adults with stable neuropathy due to leprosy was carried out in the rural town of Salur, India. It was confirmed that the ability to detect the 5.07 filament (approximately 10 g) did prevent the development of ulceration while in contrast the ability to detect the 5.46 filament (approximately 30 g) did not. This suggests that the threshold for protective sensation lies between these two filaments. An approach is suggested which may help to differentiate feet genuinely at risk of ulceration from those merely unable to detect the 5.07 filament on account of thickened skin callus or advancing age.

Caminhando sem sentir: representações de pessoas com hanseníase / ?

Este estudo explora às relações entre as representações de pessoas com hanseníase sobre o pé anestésico e a utilização de comportamentos de autocuidado para a prevenção e cura da úlcera plantar. Os resultados revelaram percepções deste membro: "normal", "morto" e "vulnerável". As duas primeiras representações são inadequadas do ponto de vista da prevenção da úlcera plantar na medida em que não despertam em seus portadores a atitude de alerta com relação aos fatores de risco e a necessidade da prática de autocuidado. A representação do pé anestésico como membro "vulnerável" leva à preocupação com os cuidados para evitar o aparecimento ou agravamento do processo ulcerativo, porém, nota-se a existência de várias barreiras internas e externas que impedem a incorporação e execução adequadas destes comportamentos de autocuidado no cotidiano destas pessoas. Pode-se concluir que a educação em saúde, a divulgação de informações corretas sobre a doença, o processo da úlcera plantar e os comportamentos de autocuidado são imprescindíveis para a prevenção e cura da úlcera plantar

Prevention of disability and rehabilitation--results from a collaborative project in China.

Eight different geographical districts in China varying in urban and rural characteristics from 6 provinces and 2 municipalities were selected as pilot areas of the project. The interventions included early detection and treatment of neuritis, self-care training, adapted footwear, surgery, comprehensive treatment of complicated ulcers, and prostheses. Main changes in eye, hand and foot impairments between baseline assessment and assessment at 2 years have been presented in this paper.

A preliminary objective evaluation of leprosy footwear using in-shoe pressure measurement.

The primary function of leprosy shoes, insoles and podiatric orthoses is to provide an underfoot environment capable of distributing the inevitable vertical forces, so reducing areas of peak pressure and ideally the period through which they are applied. Many patients with Hansen's disease have both skeletal deformity and anesthetised feet and the presence of high plantar pressures is the key reason for foot ulceration. This objective investigation using in-shoe dynamic pressure measurements showed that the addition of a shank to control insole rigidity reduced the overall peak pressures under the foot. When a deep canvas shoe was used to test single- and double-thickness insoles of two different types of material it was found in each case that the double-thickness mode was advantageous overall. Microcellular rubber insoles in two types of leprosy shoe were replaced by the polymer Poron. The Poron proved to be superior to both microcellular rubbers. The peak pressure and pressure-time integral should be considered as complimentary variables when determining the efficacy of footwear.