Clofazimine-induced cutaneous hyperpigmentation as a source of stigma in the treatment of leprosy: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Cutaneous hyperpigmentation is one of the main adverse effects encountered in patients undergoing leprosy treatment with multidrug therapy (WHO-MDT). This adverse effect has been described as intolerable and capable of contributing to social stigma. The objectives of this study were to quantify the variation in skin colour induced by clofazimine during and after treatment and to assess the related stigma. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study objectively measured skin colour in 51 patients by reading the individual typology angle (ITA°) with a spectrophotometer, followed by the application of the Stigma Scale of the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC). RESULTS: Skin hyperpigmentation was observed in 100% of the individuals. They showed more negative ITA° values in lesion areas than non-lesion areas, particularly in sun-exposed regions. Clofazimine-induced cutaneous hyperpigmentation was not homogeneous and seemed to follow the lesion locations. The mean EMIC score was 18.8 points. CONCLUSION: All patients presented skin hyperpigmentation caused by clofazimine, detectable through spectrophotometry. Hyperpigmentation strongly impacted the social domain, indicating the intersectionality of disease and skin colour stigma, contributing to the social isolation of these patients. Health authorities should consider the negative impact of clofazimine on treatment adherence.

Influência de um protocolo de fisioterapia pélvica na função urinária e sexual de mulheres infectadas com vírus linfotrópico de células T humano tipo 1 / Influence of a pelvic physiotherapy protocol in urinary and sexual function of women infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1

Objetivo: Avaliar a influência da fisioterapia pélvica na função urinária e sexual de mulheres infectadas com HTLV-1. Métodos: Estudo quasi-experimental, com protocolo de 16 sessões em nove mulheres, que foram categorizadas em grupo sintomático e assintomático. Realizou-se teste de força muscular do assoalho pélvico com esquema PERFECT modificado, aplicou-se os questionários King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) e Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). O protocolo de fisioterapia pélvica consistiu em eletroestimulação do nervo tibial, eletroestimulação transvaginal e exercícios de cinesioterapia pélvica. Resultados: No grupo assintomático, segundo esquema PERFECT houve melhora da Endurance e Resistência do assoalho pélvico. No KHQ, verificou-se melhora geral no impacto da incontinência na qualidade de vida. No FSFI, houve aumento significativo no escore geral (p = 0,01), com influência nos domínios Desejo, Excitação, Lubrificação e Orgasmo. No grupo sintomático, o esquema PERFECT obteve melhora significativa em todos os domínios, assim como nos domínios de Limitação física, Sono/Energia e Medidas de Gravidade do KHQ e dos domínios de Desejo, Excitação e o Escore geral (p = 0,01) do FSFI. Conclusão: Sugere-se que o programa de fisioterapia pélvica aplicado melhorou a funcionalidade do assoalho pélvico, a qualidade de vida, reduziu os sintomas urinários e aprimorou a função sexual. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the influence of pelvic physical therapy on the urinary and sexual function of women infected with HTLV-1. Methods: A quasi-experimental study in 16 sessions with nine women, divided into a symptomatic and asymptomatic group. The muscle strength test was performed with modified PERFECT scheme and were applied the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The protocol of pelvic physical therapy consisted of electrostimulation of the tibial nerve, transvaginal electrostimulation and pelvic kinesiotherapy exercises. Results: In the asymptomatic group, the main results in PERFECT scheme were the improvement of the endurance and pelvic floor strength. In relation to KHQ, we observed a general improvement in the impact of incontinence on quality of life. In the FSFI, there was a significant increase in the Overall Score (p = 0.01), with influence in the domains Desire, Excitation, Lubrication and Orgasm. In the symptomatic group, the PERFECT scheme obtained significant improvement in all domains. As well as in domains Physical Limitation, Sleep/Energy and Severity measures in KHQ and in domains Desire, Excitation and Overall Score (p = 0,01) of FSFI. Conclusion: The pelvic physical therapy protocol improved the pelvic floor functionality, quality of life, reduced urinary symptoms and improved the sexual function. (AU)