Paper spot test and DDS/creatinine ratios in relation to treatment taken by leprosy patients.

The findings on the positivity of paper spot test and the mean DDS/Cr. ratios in relation to the percentage of treatment taken by 316 leprosy out-patients on 100, 50 or 25 mg/DDS daily are presented. Thirty-three percent of the subjects on 25 mg were found to give negative spot test as against 11-12% in the patient groups on 50 and 100 mgs dose schedules. The mean DDS/Cr. ratios in the spot test negative urine specimens were consistent for all dosage groups and ranged from 7.1-9.6 micrograms/mg. The ratios in the spot test-positive urine specimens, showed, in general, a direct proportion to the percentage of treatment taken particularly, in the 75-100% and 50-75% groups. The significance and implications of the findings are discussed.