ABSTRACT
Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a serious, often recurring and disabling, immunologically mediated reaction occurring in leprosy which often requires hospitalization. There are published several studies of ENL, but systematic studies regarding the risk factors associated with ENL in the post elimination era are few. The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors associated with ENL in a tertiary care centre in Western Odisha. This is a case control study involving 292 patients of leprosy who attended the Dermatology OPD of this tertiary care centre. These constituted 97 patients with ENL and 195 patients without ENL who attended the OPD during this period. Detailed history, clinical examination, slit skin smears were done. These included gender details, age, area of residence (rural/urban), education and socioeconomic status. The most common subtype of leprosy observed in ENL was lepromatous leprosy followed by borderline lepromatous type. Patients diagnosed with initial high BI and lepromatous leprosy were found to be significant risk factors for development of ENL. Skin diseases, Anaemia and Diabetes Mellitus were found to be more prevalent in ENL patients