A survey of blindness and poor vision in leprosy patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the prevalence, cause and distributions of blindness and poor vision in patients with leprosy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>An epidemiological survey of blindness and poor vision among 1045 cases of leprosy was carried out in Taixing City of Jiangsu Province, China.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of bilateral blindness was 7.67%, unilateral blindness 4.4%, bilateral poor vision of various degrees 9.28% and unilateral poor vision 5.84%. The prevalence of eye complications varied significantly among different groups of patients; females had a higher prevalence than males, multibacillary patients higher than paucibacillary patients, and in-patients higher than out-patients. Corneal disease was the most common cause of blindness in study groups, followed by iritic disease and cataract; while the main cause of poor vision was cataract, then corneal and iritic diseases. Treatable blindness accounted for 62.7% of the cases and treatable poor vision for 88.6% of the patients studied. 56.62% of cases with eye complications expressed their willingness to be treated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Although prevention and treatment of low vision and blindness in leprosy patients is very hard, it is necessary for doctors and medical workers to make clear of the factors to cause low vision and blindness, especially those in leprosy patients so that some measures for prevention and treatment of the disease could be taken accordingly.</p>

Comprehensive treatment of complicated plantar ulcers in leprosy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate feasible treatment methods for plantar ulcers in leprosy patients according to the agreement between the Ministry of Health (MOH) of China and the Leprosy Mission International (LMI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 2599 complicated foot ulcers in 1804 leprosy cases underwent surgic treatment. Plastic fixation and supports were used, dressings were changed regularly, and protective footwear and modified insoles were provided.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 2599 foot ulcers 1446 (55.64%) healed. The cure rate of the patients treated in leprosy hospitals was 71.31%, with 219 (15.15%) recurrences of foot ulcers. The recurrence rate of those who lived at home was 18.35%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Comprehensive treatment of foot ulcers has a high cure rate and a low recurrence rate. Reduction of workload, avoidance of long distance walking, intensification of education on foot self-care and provision of financial support are the main measures for preventing a recurrence of foot ulcers.</p>