Estudio de convivientes de lepra con un elevado índice bacteriológico / No disponible

RESUMEN

OBJETIVO: El objetivo del estudio es cribar convivientes de personas diagnosticadas de lepra con un elevado índice bacteriológico en un centro de referencia. MÉTODOS: El estudio hospitalario incorporo a 334 personas recién diagnosticadas de lepra con un elevado índice bacteriológico. El hospital de referencia es el de Champa, Chhattisgarh, India. Se anotaron todos los convivientes de estos casos registrados de lepra y se les ofreció ser examinados. RESULTADOS: De 334 casos con un índice bacteriológico elevado (IB), 252 (75%) eran varones y 82 (25%) mujeres, con edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 75 años. Sesenta y dos (18%) presentaron discapacidad Grado 2 y un 32% presentaron un índice bacteriológico mayor de 5 en el momento del diagnóstico. Se registraron un total de 1,397 convivientes para cribaje y 678 (49%) fueron examinados clínicamente para detectar lepra. Ciento dieciséis convivientes presentaron signos de lepra y, de entre ellos, 57 (44%) se identificaron como nuevos casos, 11 (10%) como casos conocidos en tratamiento y 48 (41%) habían sido tratados anteriormente por la enfermedad. CONCLUSIÓN: El estudio revela que el cribaje de convivientes de pacientes con elevados IB es un método efectivo para la detección de posibles nuevos casos y enfatiza la necesidad continua de cribaje y seguimiento. La educación sanitaria y la motivación de los convivientes incrementara su presentación voluntaria para ser cribados y así detectar nuevos casos

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to screen household contacts of persons diagnosed with leprosy having a high bacterial index, at a tertiary referral centre. METHODS: This hospital based study involved 334 persons who were newly diagnosed as leprosy with a high bacterial index, attending a tertiary referral hospital, Champa, Chhattisgarh, India. We enumerated all the household contacts of registered cases and invited them to be screened for leprosy. RESULTS: Of 334 high BI cases, 252 (75%) were male and 82 (25%) were female, with ages ranging from 12 to 75 years. Sixty two (18%) had Grade 2 disability and 32% had a bacterial index of above 5+ at the time of diagnosis. A total of 1,397 household members were enrolled for screening and 678 (49%) were examined for leprosy. One hundred and sixteen household members were found to have signs of leprosy, and among these, 57 (49%) were identified as new cases, 11 (10%) were known cases on treatment and 48 (41%) had been previously treated for leprosy. CONCLUSION: This study showed that screening of household contacts of high BI cases is an effective method of leprosy case detection and emphasizes the continuing need to screen and follow up. Continued health education and motivation of household contacts will enhance voluntary reporting for periodical screening