ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate epidemiological indicators and clinical profile of leprosy patients in Dhaka City
Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study 722 new leprosy patients registered in six different clinics of The Leprosy Mission International - Bangladesh, Dhaka program over two and half year [January 2011 to June 2013] were included. Demographic details and clinical characteristics during diagnosis were recorded
Results: Out of 722 patients, 390 [54%] were males and 332 [46%] were females. Proportion of cases under 15 year age was 8.7%. Borderline tuberculoid was the most common form of the disease [81.0%] followed by tuberculoid [9.3%], lepromatous [4.3%], borderline lepromatous [3.5%], borderline [1.8%] and pure neural [0.1%]. Proportion of multibacillary leprosy was 22.4%. Most of the patients had duration of symptoms from 6 months to 1 year [53.0%]. 12% of patients had history of contact with leprosy patients. Type 1 reaction was more prevalent than type 2 [7.6% and 2.9%, respectively]. Proportion of cases with grade 2 disability was 5.9%. Most common presentation was with hypopigmented macule with obvious margin, marked anesthesia and mild infiltration. Ulnar nerve was the most common nerve to be involved [15.8%]
Conclusion: Leprosy cases are being frequently diagnosed in Dhaka city. Epidemiological indicators reflect that there may be ongoing disease transmission and relative delay in diagnosis despite a strong surveillance program