Costos directos e indirectos del diagnóstico y tratamiento de pacientes con lepra / Direct and indirect costs of diagnosis and treatment in patients with leprosy

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de los 32 pacientes con diagnóstico de lepra en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba durante 2013, para mostrar la incidencia de esta enfermedad, así como describir los costos directos e indirectos pertinentes para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de los afectados. En la casuística predominaron el grupo de 46 y más años de edad (78,5 por ciento) y la forma clínica multibacilar (96,8 por ciento); también se encontró que el costo de esta última fue superior, dado por $ 16385, 53 (pesos cubanos)(AU)

A descriptive study of 32 patients with diagnosis of leprosy in Santiago de Cuba was carried out during 2013, to show the incidence of this disease, as well as to describe the pertinent direct and indirect costs for the diagnosis and treatment of those affected. In the case material the group of 46 years and more (78.5 percent) and the multibacilar clinical type (96.8 percent) prevailed; it was also found that the cost of this last one was higher, estimated in $16385, 53 (Cuban pesos)(AU)

Costos directos e indirectos del diagnóstico y tratamiento de pacientes con lepra / Direct and indirect costs of diagnosis and treatment in patients with leprosy

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de los 32 pacientes con diagnóstico de lepra en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba durante 2013, para mostrar la incidencia de esta enfermedad, así como describir los costos directos e indirectos pertinentes para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de los afectados. En la casuística predominaron el grupo de 46 y más años de edad (78,5 %) y la forma clínica multibacilar (96,8 %); también se encontró que el costo de esta última fue superior, dado por $ 16385, 53 (pesos cubanos).

A descriptive study of 32 patients with diagnosis of leprosy in Santiago de Cuba was carried out during 2013, to show the incidence of this disease, as well as to describe the pertinent direct and indirect costs for the diagnosis and treatment of those affected. In the case material the group of 46 years and more (78.5%) and the multibacilar clinical type (96.8%) prevailed; it was also found that the cost of this last one was higher, estimated in $16385, 53 (Cuban pesos).

Comportamiento de la lepra en la provincia de Las Tunas 2003-2012 / Behavior of Leprosy in Las Tunas province 2003-2012

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, para determinar algunas características epidemiológicas de la incidencia de la lepra, que es una enfermedad transmisible, tan antigua como el hombre mismo. El universo estuvo constituido por los 103 casos notificados con lepra en la provincia de Las Tunas, en el período de enero de 2003 a diciembre de 2012. La información se obtuvo por las encuestas epidemiológicas existentes en el Departamento de Estadística de la Dirección Provincial de Salud y en el Centro Provincial de Higiene, Epidemiología y Microbiología. Se creó una base de datos en Epinfo versión 3.3.3, donde se tabularon los datos de las encuestas. El análisis de los resultados se expresó en números absolutos, tasas y porcentajes para su mejor interpretación, obteniéndose como resultado que la tasa de detección de casos tiene un comportamiento irregular, el año de mayor incidencia fue el 2009, con 20 casos. Se notificaron tres casos de lepra infantil; las formas paucibacilares representaron el 51,5 por ciento; el modo de detección más frecuente fue el espontáneo. Existe transmisión activa y todo ello puede ser reflejo de la ausencia de un trabajo consolidado en el programa de control de la enfermedad (AU)

A descriptive, cross sectional study was carried out to determine some of the epidemiological characteristics of the incidence of leprosy, which is a transmissible disease, as old as humankind. The universe was made up of the 103 notified leprosy cases in Las Tunas province from January, 2003 to December, 2012. The information was obtained from the epidemiological surveys in the Statistic Department of the Provincial Direction of Health in Las Tunas, and in the Provincial Epidemiology and Microbiology Hygiene Center. A data base was created in Epinfo version 3.3.3, where the information from the surveys was arranged in tables. The analysis of the results were expressed in absolute numbers, rates and percentages for its better interpretation, getting as results that the rate detection of the cases has an irregular behavior, and 2009 was the year with a greater incidence, with 20 cases. Three cases of infantile leprosy were notified; the paucibacillary forms represented the 51,5 percent; the most frequent way of detection was the spontaneous one. There is active transmission of the disease, which can be because of lack of a consolidated work in the program for control of the disease (AU)

Hanseníase: pauci e multibacilares estão sendo diferentes? / Leprosy: are pauci and multibacillary being diferent?

Modelo do estudo: Estudo observacional descritivo transversal. Introdução: A estratégia atual de controle da hanseníase preconizada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde é baseada no respectivo tratamento segundo classificação operacional, se multibacilar ou paucibacilar. Objetivo: Comparar perfis de hansenianos de ambas as formas atendidos em Unidade Hospitalar. Metodologia: Coleta de dados em Fichas de Investigação de Hanseníase do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, no Hospital e Maternidade Celso Pierro, PUC Campinas, anos 2007 a 2011. Registro em planilha codificada, armazenamento em banco de dados específico, e processamento estatístico por meio do SPSS. Associações de variáveis investigadas pela prova de Goodman para contraste entre e intra populações multinomiais e pelo teste não-paramétrico de Mann-Whitney, ao nível de 5% de significância. Resultados: Averiguaram-se 57 casos novos, obtendo-se 14 paucibacilares e 43 multibacilares com indicadores compatíveis com o esperado. No entanto, constataram-se, entre as inconsistências apuradas: i) cinco registros de recidiva, os quais não se confirmaram nosograficamente; ii) caso multibacilar tratado como paucibacilar; iii) quanto a modo de detecção, frequências assemelhadas de encaminhamento e demanda espontânea entre os multibacilares; iv) predomínio de grau zero de incapacidade entre paucibacilares, majoritariamente tuberculóides. Conclusões: Estes resultados indicam a necessidadede vigilância epidemiológica permanente visando à interlocução entre a rede básica e os centros de referência quanto aos procedimentos de controle, com vistas à adequação da gestão técnica dos respectivos Serviços de Saúde.

Study design: Cross sectional descriptive observational study. Introduction: Present strategy for leprosy control according to World Health Organization is based on respective treatment for pauci or multibacillary patients. Objectives: To compare leper’s profiles cared by an university hospital. Materials and Method: Data collected from Leprosy Notification Protocols, Information System for Notifiable Diseases, Celso Pierro Hospital and Maternity, PUC Campinas, years 2007 to 2011. Registers on codified sheets, storagein specific data base and statistical processing by SPSS program. Associations by Goodman’s test for contrasts among multinomial populations and by non-parametric Mann-Whitney’s, at 5% significance level. Results: 57 new cases have been ascertained, 14 paucibacillary and 43 multibacillary, showing clinical epidemiologic behaviors as expected. Nevertheless, inconsistencies have been observed, as: i) five cases of relapse registered, but not clinically confirmed; ii) a multibacillary case treated as paucibacillary; iii) in relation to forms of detection, similar frequencies of recommendation and spontaneous demand in the multibacillary group; iv) predominance of grade zero disabilities in the paucibacillary group. Conclusions: Results point to the necessity of permanent epidemiological surveillance on leprosy control in order to keep enough dialogue between basic units and reference centers.

Indeterminate leprosy and lepromatous index case: four cases in the same family / Hanseniase indeterminada e caso indice virchowiano: 4 casos na mesma familia

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves. Brazil remains as the country with the second largest number of cases in the world. We report the case of three patients diagnosed with indeterminate leprosy in the same family. Two patients were HIV positive. An active search led to the discovery of the index case. It was crucial to persist in the search of the index case. This report shows how important it is to teach physicians and the general population about the signs and symptoms of leprosy. Early diagnosis and treatment are necessary to prevent sequelae and to eliminate the disease as a public health problem.

A hanseníase é uma doença infecciosa crônica causada pelo Mycobacterium leprae, que afeta principalmente a pele e nervos periféricos. O Brasil continua sendo o segundo país do mundo com maior número de casos. Aqui relatamos três pacientes diagnosticados com hanseníase indeterminada, pertencentes à mesma família, cuja busca ativa levou à descoberta do caso índice. Dois pacientes eram HIV positivos. Foi de imensa importância a insistência na procura pelo caso índice. Este relato ilustra a importância do ensino sobre sinais e sintomas de hanseníase na formação médica e à população. O pronto reconhecimento e tratamento são necessários para prevenir sequelas e eliminar a doença como problema de saúde pública.

Understanding the type 1 reactional state for early diagnosis and treatment: a way to avoid disability in leprosy / Compreender melhor o estado reacional tipo 1 para o diagnostico e tratamento precoces: uma forma de se evitar as incapacidades na hanseniase

A type 1 reaction or reversal reaction is expressed clinically by inflammatory exacerbation of the skin lesions and nerve trunks, consequently leading to sensory and motor alterations. It occurs in non-polar forms of leprosy, although it can occur in a small percentage of sub-polar LL treated patients. Disabilities, deformities and morbidity, still present in leprosy, are mainly caused by these acute episodes. The recognition of reactional states is imperative for an early approach and efficient management, to avoid the emergence of disabilities that stigmatize the disease. This review aims to describe the clinical aspects, immunopathogenesis, epidemiology, histopathological features and therapeutics of type 1 reactions.

A reação do tipo 1 ou reação reversa expressa-se clinicamente por uma exacerbação inflamatória das lesões de pele e de troncos nervosos, levando a alterações sensitivas e motoras. Ocorre nas formas não-polares da hanseníase, embora possa ocorrer numa pequena percentagem de pacientes LL tratados. As incapacidades físicas, deformidades e morbidade, ainda presentes na hanseníase, são causadas principalmente por esses episódios agudos. O reconhecimento dos estados reacionais é imperativo para uma abordagem precoce e manejo adequado, evitando a instalação de incapacidades que tanto estigmatizam a doença. Esta revisão tem como objetivo descrever aspectos clínicos, imunopatogênese, epidemiologia, características histopatológicas e terapêutica do estado reacional do tipo 1.

Leprosy. An update: definition, pathogenesis, classification, diagnosis, and treatment.

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves and is still endemic in various regions of the world. Clinical presentation depends on the patient's immune status at the time of infection and during the course of the disease. Leprosy is associated with disability and marginalization. Diagnosis is clinical and is made when the patient has at least 1 of the following cardinal signs specified by the World Health Organization: hypopigmented or erythematous macules with sensory loss; thickened peripheral nerves; or positive acid-fast skin smear or skin biopsy with loss of adnexa at affected sites. Leprosy is treated with a multidrug combination of rifampicin, clofazimine, and dapsone. Two main regimens are used depending on whether the patient has paucibacillary or multibacillary disease.

Concordance between expected and observed bacilloscopy results of clinical forms of leprosy: a 6-year retrospective study in Recife, State of Pernambuco, Brazil / Concordância entre os resultados observados e esperados da forma clinica da hanseníase de acordo com a baciloscopia: um estudo retrospectivo de seis anos em Recife, Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: Operational classification of leprosy based on the number of skin lesions was conceived to screen patients presenting severe forms of the disease to enable their reception of a more intense multidrug regimen without having to undergo lymph smear testing. We evaluated the concordance between operational classification and bacilloscopy to define multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy. METHODS: We selected 1,213 records of individuals with leprosy, who were untreated (new cases) and admitted to a dermatology clinic in Recife, Brazil, from 2000 to 2005, and who underwent bacteriological examination at diagnosis for ratification of the operational classification. RESULTS: Compared to bacilloscopy, operational classification demonstrated 88.6% sensitivity, 76.9% specificity, a positive predictive value of 61.8%, and a negative predictive value of 94.1%, with 80% accuracy and a moderate kappa index. Among the bacilloscopy-negative cases, 23% had more than 5 skin lesions. Additionally, 11% of the bacilloscopy-positive cases had up to 5 lesions, which would have led to multibacillary cases being treated as paucibacillary leprosy if the operational classification had not been confirmed by bacilloscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Operational classification has limitations that are more obvious in borderline cases, suggesting that in these cases, lymph smear testing is advisable to enable the selection of true multibacillary cases for more intense treatment, thereby contributing to minimization of resistant strain selection and possible relapse.

INTRODUÇÃO: A classificação operacional da hanseníase baseada no número de lesões de pele foi concebida para selecionar pacientes que apresentam formas graves da doença para receber regime terapêutico mais intenso com múltiplas drogas sem o exame de baciloscopia da linfa. Nós avaliamos a concordância entre a classificação operacional e a baciloscopia para a definição de hanseníase multibacilar e paucibacilar. MÉTODOS: Nós selecionamos 1.213 registros de indivíduos com hanseníase não tratada (casos novos), atendidos em um Ambulatório de Dermatologia, em Recife, Brasil, no período de 2000 a 2005, que foram submetidos a exame bacteriológico ao diagnóstico para a ratificação da classificação operacional. RESULTADOS: Comparando com a baciloscopia, a classificação operacional baseada no número de lesões cutâneas mostrou sensibilidade de 88,6%, especificidade 76,9%, valor preditivo positivo de 61,8% e valor preditivo negativo de 94,1%, com uma precisão de 80% e um moderado índice kappa. Entre os casos com baciloscopia negativa, 23% tinham mais de cinco lesões de pele, recebendo um tratamento mais intensivo. Além disso, 11% dos casos baciloscopia positiva tinham até cinco lesões, o que induziriam casos multibacilares de serem tratados com hanseníase paucibacilar se a classificação operacional não tivesse sido confirmada pela baciloscopia. CONCLUSÕES: Concluímos que a classificação operacional tem limitações mais visíveis nos casos borderline, sugerindo que, nestes casos, o esfregaço seria aconselhável por permitir que os verdadeiros casos multibacilares fossem selecionados para um tratamento mais intenso, contribuindo para minimizar a seleção de cepas resistentes e uma possível recidiva.

Leprosy trends in Zambia 1991-2009.

OBJECTIVE: To document leprosy trends in Zambia over the past two decades to ascertain the importance of leprosy as a health problem in Zambia. METHODS: Retrospective study covering the period 1991-2009 of routine national leprosy surveillance data, published national programme review reports and desk reviews of in-country TB reports. RESULTS: Data reports were available for all the years under study apart from years 2001, 2002 and 2006. The Leprosy case notification rates (CNR) declined from 2.73/10 000 population in 1991 to 0.43/10 000 population in 2009. The general leprosy burden showed a downward trend for both adults and children. Leprosy case burden dropped from approximately 18 000 cases in 1980 to only about 1000 cases in 1996, and by the year 2000, the prevalence rates had fallen to 0.67/10 000 population. There were more multibacillary cases of leprosy than pauci-bacillary cases. Several major gaps in data recording, entry and surveillance were identified. Data on disaggregation by gender, HIV status or geographical origin were not available. CONCLUSION: Whilst Zambia has achieved WHO targets for leprosy control, leprosy prevalence data from Zambia may not reflect real situation because of poor data recording and surveillance. Greater investment into infrastructure and training are required for more accurate surveillance of leprosy in Zambia.

Lepra: enfermedad milenaria y actual / Leprosy: an ancient and present-day disease

El desconocimiento de la lepra es común en la población general al igual que entre los médicos y el personal de la salud. Se cree que esta enfermedad ya no existe; tal vez su imagen bíblica y milenaria refuerce la idea de su eliminación. Sin embargo, la lepra continúa siendo un problema de salud pública en varios países; entre los más afectados están India y Brasil. Después del inicio de la poliquimioterapia (PQT) en la novena década del siglo XX la prevalencia de la lepra disminuyó considerablemente pero no ocurrió lo mismo con la incidencia, lo que se atribuye al poco impacto de dicho tratamiento sobre el control de la transmisión y a la existencia de un reservorio aún no identificado con exactitud. Los convivientes de los leprosos tienen alto riesgo de sufrir la enfermedad en cualquier momento de la vida, pero hasta ahora no se ha podido determinar cuáles convivientes infectados desarrollarán la enfermedad. En Colombia se informan de 400 a 550 casos de lepra cada año, lo cual sugiere que la transmisión del Mycobacterium leprae continúa a pesar de que el país está considerado en la fase de poseliminación. Este artículo presenta una revisión histórica de la lepra desde los primeros informes disponibles hasta los avances moleculares más recientes. Incluye cómo ha evolucionado la comprensión de la enfermedad, su caracterización clínica, las medidas de control y saneamiento, el tratamiento y la epidemiología.

Ignorance about leprosy is common both in the general population and among physicians and health personnel. It is believed that this disease no longer exists. Perhaps its image as a biblic and ancient scourge reinforces the idea of its elimination. However, leprosy continues to be a public health problem in several countries; among the most affected are India and Brazil. After multidrug therapy (MDT) started during the ninth decade of the XX century prevalence of leprosy dramatically decreased. Incidence, however, did not follow the same trend, probably because of the low impact of MDT on transmission, and the existence of an as yet unidentified reservoir. Familial contacts of leprosy patients are at high risk of suffering the disease at any moment in their lives. So far it has not been possible to determine which ones of the infected contacts will develop the disease. Between 400 and 550 cases of leprosy are reported every year in Colombia. This fact suggests that transmission of Mycobacterium leprae still occurs despite the country being classified as in the postelimination phase. This article presents a historical review on leprosy from the earliest available reports to the more recent advances in the molecular understanding of the disease and its agent. It includes how the comprehension about it has evolved, its clinical characterization, public health control measures, therapy and epidemiology.