Magnitude dos episódios reacionais na hanseníase em serviço ambulatorial especializado / Magnitude of reactional episodes in leprosy in a specialized outpatient service

O objetivo do estudo é caracterizar os episódios reacionais segundo os dados sociodemográficos, clínicos e epidemiológicos de pacientes com hanseníase em um município hiperendêmico do estado do Piauí, Brasil, no período de 2013 a 2017. Para tanto, um estudo descritivo, transversal e retrospectivo utilizou-se os casos de hanseníase, notificados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), juntamente com a ficha de dispensação de medicamentos do local em estudo. Foram realizadas análise univariada, por meio de estatística descritiva simples, e análise bivariada, utilizando o Qui-quadrado de Pearson para associar as va-riáveis quantitativas com a variável resposta do estudo, que é o momento da reação hansênica. A significância estatística foi fixada em p<0,05. Observou-se que a maioria dos episódios reacionais ocorreram durante o tratamento para hanseníase. Homens, pardos, pessoas com ensino fundamental completo ou incompleto, pedreiros, moradores da zona urbana, indivíduos dimorfos, multibacilares e com presença de grau 0 de incapacidade física, predominaram no aparecimento de reação. A reação que prevaleceu foi a do tipo 1, seguida pelo tipo 2, e em última, a reação mista. Diante disso, com-preende-se que as vulnerabilidades individuais, sociais e econômicas impactam diretamente no desenvolvimento de reação hansênica.(AU)

The objective of the study is to characterize the reactional episodes according to the sociodemographic, clinical and epidemiological data of patients with leprosy in a hyperendemic municipality in the state of Piauí, Brazil, from 2013 to 2017. For that, a study descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective, leprosy cases notified in the Disease Information System were used of Notification (SINAN), together with the medication dispensing form place under study. Univariate analysis was performed using simple descriptive statistics, and bivariate analysis, using Pearson's Chi-square to associate the quantitative variables with the study response variable, which is the moment of the leprosy reaction. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. It was observed that most reactional episodes occurred during treatment for leprosy. Men, browns, people with complete or incomplete elementary education, bricklayers, residents of the urban area, dimorphic, multibacillary individuals and with the presence of degree zero of physical disability, were the ones that predominated in the appearance of reaction. The reaction that prevailed was type 1, followed by type 2 and, finally, the mixed reaction. In view of this, it is understood that individual, social and economic vulnerabilities directly impact the development of leprosy reaction.

Prevalence and influencing factors of leprosy reactions from2010 to 2019 in Zhejiang Province / 预防医学

Objective @#To analyze the prevalence and influencing factors of leprosy reactions in Zhejiang Province from 2010 to 2019, so as to provide reference for the control of leprosy.@*Methods@#Through the national leprosy management system, the new leprosy cases in Zhejiang Province from 2010 to 2019 were recruited to analyze the incidence of leprosy reactions in different demographic characteristics and leprosy clinical features. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the influencing factors for leprosy reactions.@*Results @#Totally 191 leprosy cases were investigated. The incidence rate of leprosy reactions was 29.32%; the the incidence rate of typeⅠand type Ⅱreaction was 16.75% and 9.42%, respectively. There were 33 leprosy reaction cases (58.93%) before multidrug therapy (MDT) , 13 cases (23.21%) during 0-6 months of MDT, 5 cases (8.93%) during 7-12 months of MDT, 3 cases (5.36%) during over 12 months of MDT, and 2 cases (3.57%) after MDT. The results of the multivariate logistic analysis showed that the cases who were 35 years old or below (OR=2.245, 95%CI: 1.006-5.008) , were not floating population (OR=3.442, 95%CI: 1.394-8.494) , were infected outside family (OR=3.878, 95%CI: 1.075-13.993) and were smear positive (>0+,OR=4.514, 95%CI: 1.365-14.926; >3+,OR=4.727, 95%CI: 1.443-15.485) were risk factors for leprosy reactions.@*Conclusions@#The prevalence of leprosy reactions is high in Zhejiang Province from 2010 to 2019, and is associated with age, floating population, source of infection and BI.

Serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels in leprosy patients with erythema nodosum leprosum

Background: Erythema nodosum leprosum is an immune-mediated complication of leprosy which causes significant morbidity. Biomarkers in the pathogenesis of erythema nodosum leprosum are not yet fully determined. Aim: To determine macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels in the sera of leprosy patients with erythema nodosum leprosum and to correlate the same with clinical parameters. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 37 consecutive leprosy patients with active erythema nodosum leprosum and 31 age- and sex-matched controls. Detailed clinical history and examination findings were recorded including the severity and frequency of erythema nodosum leprosum. Slit skin smears and histopathologic examination were done in all patients at baseline. Serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Most of our patients were males (78.4%) and suffering from lepromatous leprosy (27, 73%) with a mean initial bacillary index of 3.38 ± 1.36. Recurrent and chronic patterns of erythema nodosum leprosum were seen in 15 (40.5%) and 6 (16.3%) patients, respectively. Most (86.5%) of our patients presented with moderate to severe erythema nodosum leprosum. The mean serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor level was 21.86 ± 18.7 ng/ml among patients while it was 11.78 ± 8.4 ng/ml in the control group (P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant correlations of macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels with erythema nodosum leprosum frequency or severity. Limitation: Serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels in leprosy patients with no erythema nodosum leprosum and in patients with other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions were not assessed. Hence, this study falls short of providing the predictive value and specificity of higher macrophage migration inhibitory factor concentrations in serum as a biomarker of erythema nodosum leprosum. Conclusion: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels are elevated in erythema nodosum leprosum patients as compared to controls. A larger sample size and macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene polymorphism analysis will be needed to elucidate the role of this pro-inflammatory cytokine in erythema nodosum leprosum.

"A reação é o mais difícil, é pior que hanseníase": contradições e ambiguidades na experiência de mulheres com reações hansênicas / "The reaction is the most difficult, it is worse than leprosy": contradictions and ambiguities in the experience of women with leprosy reactions

Resumo Estudo de abordagem socioantropológica, analisa a experiência de mulheres com reações hansênicas, quadro agudo de evolução crônica que acomete cerca da metade das pessoas que têm hanseníase. Foram entrevistadas sete mulheres com reações, acompanhadas por um serviço de referência em Cuiabá-MT, região com maior número de casos no Brasil. A análise foi realizada na modalidade temática e os resultados abrangem o contexto em que vivem, o aparecimento e interpretação das reações, as repercussões e dilemas de um "tratamento que adoece". As reações imbricam-se na trajetória da hanseníase e são marcadores do adoecimento por intensificarem a dor ou por causarem marcas e eritemas pelo corpo. Ao explicarem sua origem, as reações são inseridas em contextos abrangentes e situações de estresse ou tristeza. O tratamento torna-se um problema na medida em que afeta como elas se veem, processo que é acrescido e incorporado à situação estigmatizante causada pela hanseníase. Ter reações pode ser considerado "pior" do que ter hanseníase, pois nem sempre é possível prevê-las ou controlá-las; por isso, assume-se que a noção de cura requer outros sentidos, baseados na reconstrução cotidiana. Reitera-se a importância de abordar o problema em perspectiva que favoreça uma atenção integral aos adoecidos.

Abstract Study of socio-anthropological approach on the experience of women with leprosy reactions, an acute chronic evolution that affects half of those who have leprosy. Seven women with reactions were interviewed, accompanied by a reference service in Cuiabá-MT, the region with the highest number of cases in Brazil. The analysis was carried out in the thematic modality and the results cover the context in which they live, the appearance and interpretation of the reactions, the repercussions and dilemmas of a "treatment that gets sick". Reactions are embedded in the trajectory of leprosy and are markers of illness by intensifying pain or causing bruising and erythema throughout the body. In explaining their origin, reactions are inserted into broad contexts and situations of stress or sadness. Treatment becomes a problem as it affects how they look, a process that is added and incorporated into the stigmatizing situation caused by leprosy. Having reactions can be considered "worse" than having leprosy, since it is not always possible to predict or control them and therefore, it is assumed that the notion of cure requires other senses, based on daily reconstruction. It reiterates the importance of approaching the problem in a perspective that favors a comprehensive care for the patients.

Number of leprosy reactions during treatment: clinical correlations and laboratory diagnosis

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The occurrence of leprosy reactions, a common event during treatment, may be mostly related to the action of multidrug therapy on Mycobacterium leprae. The clinical and laboratory monitoring of patients with reactions is important, since collecting data that assists in predicting the risk of reactions may help to prevent disability. METHODS: This was a sectional study, in order to correlate clinical and laboratory diagnosis with the number of reactions during treatment. Spearman's correlation was used to verify the degree of association between the assessed variables. RESULTS: This study was conducted with 211 patients with leprosy reactions during treatment of M. leprae. The borderline tuberculoid group was the most prevalent clinical form (74/211; 35.1%) and the type one reaction showed the highest frequency (136/211; 64.5%). It was observed that 73.5% (155/211) of reactions occurred within 3 months of the initiation of multidrug therapy. The diagnostic values, including the bacterial indices (BIs) of dermal smears (r = 0.21, p < 0.05) and skin biopsies (r = 0.20; p < 0.05), showed a positive correlation with the number of reactions during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This research showed a positive correlation between bacillary load markers and the number of leprosy reactions. This study provided scientific support to future research aiming to elucidate the influence of antigenic load on the number of leprosy reactions during treatment.

Reacciones leprosas / Leprosy reactions

Resumen Entre 30-50 % de pacientes con lepra pueden llegar a presentar reacciones inmunológicas, que son eventos agudos que interrumpen el curso crónico de la lepra y son importantes debido a que pueden causar a largo plazo secuelas graves, como el daño permanente de nervios, lo que conlleva a discapacidad y deformidad. Se revisan los diferentes aspectos clónicos y terapéuticos de las reacciones lepromatosas con el fin de profundizar en el conocimiento actual de estas complicaciones de difícil diagnóstico y que son prioritarias para prevenir discapacidades.

Abstract Between 30-50% of patients with leprosy could have immune reactions, which are acute events that disrupt the chronic course of leprosy and are important because they can cause serious long-term consequences such as permanent damage nerve, leading to deformity and disability. We review the different clinical and therapeutic aspects of lepromatous reactions in order to deepen the current knowledge of these complications of a difficult diagnosis and are the priority to prevent disabilities.

Leprosy Scenario at a Tertiary-level Hospital in Navi Mumbai: A Four-year Retrospective Study.

Introduction: India was among the last few countries in the world to achieve leprosy elimination in 2005. However, wide variations in prevalence rates continue to exist across the states and regions in the country. Aims: The purpose of the study is to determine the current clinical profile of leprosy from a tertiary-level hospital in Navi Mumbai. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was done to determine the epidemiological and clinical profile of leprosy patients in a tertiary care center, MGM Medical College & Hospital, Navi Mumbai (September 2011 to August 2015). Data regarding demographic details, clinical features, investigations, treatment, and complications were analyzed. Results: In total, 207 patients were registered over a 4-year period, with male:female ratio of 2.4:1 and children (≤ 14 years) constituting 7.2%. As per Ridley Jopling classification, borderline tuberculoid leprosy was the most frequent morphologic type, seen in 45.8%, followed by borderline lepromatous (28%), lepromatous leprosy (10.1%), and other forms in 11.5%. Multibacillary leprosy was the most common clinical type (81.1%). About 32.8% patients presented in reaction (type I in 22.7% and type II in 10.1%). World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2 deformities were diagnosed in 32.8%, with claw hand being the most common paralytic deformity (18.8%). Conclusion: The study shows that despite statistical elimination, multibacillary disease, leprosy reactions, and deformities are commonly seen as presenting manifestations. Large population of migrant workers in Navi Mumbai could be a possible contributing factor towards these findings. It highlights the need to sustain and provide high-quality leprosy services to all patients through general health services, including good referral system. Investigations, such as slit skin smear and biopsy must be carried out for all newly diagnosed patients.

Multibacillary leprosy patients with high and persistent serum antibodies to leprosy IDRI diagnostic-1/LID-1: higher susceptibility to develop type 2 reactions

Leprosy inflammatory episodes [type 1 (T1R) and type 2 (T2R) reactions] represent the major cause of irreversible nerve damage. Leprosy serology is known to be influenced by the patient’s bacterial index (BI) with higher positivity in multibacillary patients (MB) and specific multidrug therapy (MDT) reduces antibody production. This study evaluated by ELISA antibody responses to leprosy Infectious Disease Research Institute diagnostic-1 (LID-1) fusion protein and phenolic glycolipid I (PGL-I) in 100 paired serum samples of 50 MB patients collected in the presence/absence of reactions and in nonreactional patients before/after MDT. Patients who presented T2R had a median BI of 3+, while MB patients with T1R and nonreactional patients had median BI of 2.5+ (p > 0.05). Anti-LID-1 and anti-PGL-I antibodies declined in patients diagnosed during T1R (p < 0.05). Anti-LID-1 levels waned in MB with T2R at diagnosis and nonreactional MB patients (p < 0.05). Higher anti-LID-1 levels were seen in patients with T2R at diagnosis (vs. patients with T1R at diagnosis, p = 0.008; vs. nonreactional patients, p = 0.020) and in patients with T2R during MDT (vs. nonreactional MB, p = 0.020). In MB patients, high and persistent anti-LID-1 antibody levels might be a useful tool for clinicians to predict which patients are more susceptible to develop leprosy T2R.

Clinical variables associated with leprosy reactions and persistence of physical impairment

Introduction Leprosy is a chronic disease that affects skin and peripheral nerves. Disease complications include reactional episodes and physical impairment. One World Health Organization (WHO) goal of leprosy programs is to decrease the number of grade 2 impairment diagnoses by 2015. This study aims to evaluate clinical factors associated with the occurrence of leprosy reactions and physical impairment in leprosy patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of data from medical records of patients followed in two important centers for the treatment of leprosy in Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil, from 2005 to 2011. We used the chi-square test to analyze associations between the following categorical variables: gender, age, operational classification, clinical forms, leprosy reactions, corticosteroid treatment, and physical impairment at the diagnosis and after cure. Clinical variables associated with multibacillary leprosy and/or reactional episodes and the presence of any grade of physical impairment after cure were evaluated using the logistic regression model. Results We found that men were more affected by multibacillary forms, reactional episodes, and grade 2 physical impairment at diagnosis. Leprosy reactions were detected in a total of 40% of patients and all were treated with corticosteroids. However, physical impairment was observed in 29.8% of the patients analyzed at the end of the treatment and our multivariate analysis associated a low dose and short period of corticosteroid treatment with persistence of physical impairments. Conclusions Physical impairment should receive an increased attention before and after treatment, and adequate treatment should be emphasized. .

Características epidemiológicas e clínicas das reações hansênicas em indivíduos paucibacilares e multibacilares, atendidos em dois centros de referência para hanseníase, na Cidade de Recife, Estado de Pernambuco / Characteristics of leprosy reactions in paucibacillary and multibacillary individuals attended at two reference centers in Recife, Pernambuco

INTRODUÇÃO: As reações são frequentes e importantes no contexto da hanseníase, representando uma significativa parcela de pacientes com incapacidades e submetidos ao retratamento da hanseníase. A caracterização clínico-epidemiológica dos padrões reacionais é primordial para o manejo dos pacientes. O objetivo desse trabalho é descrever as características epidemiológicas e clínicas das reações hansênicas em indivíduos paucibacilares e multibacilares. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal onde foram avaliados 201 pacientes com história de quadro reacional, atendidos em dois centros de referência para tratamento da hanseníase. Variáveis como baciloscopia inicial, sexo, idade, fototipo, procedência, forma clínica, tipo de tratamento e de reação, índice baciloscópico final e período de surgimento da reação em relação ao tratamento foram avaliados. A análise estatística foi realizada usando-se frequências simples. Para cálculo dos fatores de risco para as formas multibacilares, foram realizadas análises univariada e multivariada. RESULTADOS: Sexo masculino, idade entre 30-44 anos, fototipo V, a forma clínica borderline, tratamento regular, reação tipo I, neurite, presença de 10 a 20 nódulos e surgimento da reação hansênica durante o tratamento foram os achados mais frequentes. CONCLUSÕES: Predominaram os indivíduos do sexo masculino que se associaram a um maior risco de desenvolvimento da forma multibacilar. As reações hansênicas foram mais frequentes durante o tratamento, os pacientes multibacilares foram mais propensos ao retratamento da hanseníase e aqueles com reações tipo I e II, apresentaram maior frequência de neurite, linfadenopatia, artrite e irite do que aqueles com reação isolada.

INTRODUCTION: Significant reactions frequently occur among leprosy cases, and thus a significant proportion of leprosy patients present disabilities and undergo leprosy retreatment. Clinical-epidemiological characterization of reaction patterns is essential for managing such patients. Objective to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of leprosy reactions among paucibacillary and multibacillary individuals. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 201 patients with histories of reactions who were attended at two reference centers for leprosy treatment were evaluated. Variables such as initial bacilloscopy, sex, age, skin phototype, origin, clinical presentation, type of treatment, type of reaction, final bacilloscopy index and time of reaction onset in relation to the treatment were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using simple frequencies. To calculate risk factors for multibacillary forms, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Male sex, age between 30 and 44 years, phototype V, borderline clinical form, regular treatment, type I reaction, neuritis, presence of 10 to 20 nodules and onset of the leprosy reaction during the treatment were the most frequent findings. CONCLUSIONS: Male patients predominated and were associated with greater risk of developing the multibacillary forms. Leprosy reactions occurred most frequently during the treatment. Multibacillary patients were more likely to need leprosy retreatment, and those with type I and type II reactions presented greater frequency of neuritis, lymphadenopathy, arthritis and iritis than did those with isolated reactions.

Associação entre reação hansênica após alta e a carga bacilar avaliada utilizando sorologia anti PGL-I e baciloscopia / Association between leprosy reactions after treatment and bacterial load evaluated using anti PGL-I serology and bacilloscopy

As reações hansênicas são fenômenos imuno inflamatórios que ocorrem durante a evolução da hanseníase. Atualmente com os critérios de finalização de tratamento esta intercorrência pode ser observada após a alta da poliquimioterapia. Trata-se de um estudo caso-controle onde foram comparados, laboratorialmente, os casos de reação hansênica após alta da poliquimioterapia multibacilar (PQT/MB) com o grupo controle para analisar a possível associação entre a reação hansênica após alta e a carga bacilar, utilizando o ML Flow, teste sorológico para detecção de anticorpos contra o Mycobacterium leprae, e os resultados das baciloscopias cutâneas. O estudo foi realizado em dois serviços de referência na cidade de Recife - Pernambuco - Brasil, onde participaram 208 pacientes. Os resultados encontrados indicam que a reação após alta está estatisticamente associada à carga bacilar através da positividade do teste sorológico após alta. Conclui-se que existem fatores de riscos comuns entre a recidiva e a reação após alta.

Leprosy (Hansen's disease, HD) reactions are immune-inflammatory phenomena that occur during the evolution of the disease. Given the current criteria for treatment of the disease, this event is often observed after the patient has been released from treatment (RFT) from multi-drug therapy (MDT). A case-control study was conducted comparing laboratory results of cases of leprosy reactions after RFT from multibacillary MDT (MDT/MB) with a control group to analyze the possible association between posttreatment reactions and bacterial load using the ML Flow serological test for detection of antibodies to Mycobacterium leprae and the results of bacilloscopic skin smears. The study was conducted in two reference centers in Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil, involving 208 patients. The results obtained indicate that posttreatment reaction is statistically associated with bacterial load through positive serology post-RFT. In conclusion, common risk factors exist between relapses and post-RFT reactions.

Fatores que influenciaram a inadequação do diagnóstico e do acompanhamento dos estados reacionais em hanseníase no Estado de Rondônia, Brasil / Factors influencing inadequate diagnosis and follow-up of leprosy reactions in Rondônia State, Brazil

Os episódios reacionais em hanseníase mantêm-se como um dos grandes desafios para os Programas de Controle de Hanseníase em países endêmicos. Apesar de se reconhecerem os seus aspectos clínicos, ainda persistem questões abertas sobre vários aspectos relacionados a fisiopatologia destas reações, dificultando a definição de critérios para operacionalização do seu controle. Neste estudo avaliaram-se os fatores que influenciaram a inadequação do diagnóstico e acompanhamento dos casos que apresentaram reações hansênicas e da repercussão destes episódios no grau de incapacidade física determinada pela avaliação fisioterápica. Estudo descritivo, operacional, realizado no Estado de Rondônia durante o ano de 1997 nos casos novos diagnosticados e nos que receberam alta por cura. Realizou-se pesquisa em prontuários para identificação dos casos que desenvolveram reações. Para a entrevista foram selecionados pacientes com reações após a alta e os com progressão do grau de incapacidade durante tratamento, sendo realizada avaliação clínica. O estudo possibilitou avaliar a estrutura do programa de controle nos municípios selecionados. Em Rondônia, apesar dos avanços obtidos na detecção de casos, disponibilização da poliquimioterapia e redução do grau de incapacidades físicas no início e término deste tratamento, mantêm-se as dificuldades da abordagem destas reações. Faz-se necessária redefinição de prioridades incorporando a abordagem das reações como estratégica para melhorar a atenção integral aos pacientes.

Leprosy reactions continue being one of the great challenges for National Leprosy Control Programs in endemic countries. The clinical aspects of reactions are well known, but data on the epidemiology are scanty. This hinders the elaboration of effective control strategies. In this study, factors were characterized which influenced inadequate diagnosis and follow-up of patients with leprosy reactions, as well as the impact of reactions on the development of physical disabilities. The descriptive operational study was done in Rondônia State in 1997, based on newly diagnosed cases and those that received discharge for cure. Data on leprosy reactions were obtained from medical records. Patients with reactions after discharge and progression of disability during treatment were interviewed, and a clinical evaluation was done. In addition, we described the structure of the Leprosy Control Programs in selected municipalities. Our data show that in Rondônia, despite progress in case detection, better availability of multidrug therapy, and reduction of disability grade at diagnosis and discharge from treatment, there continue to be difficulties in the management of leprosy reactions. Thus, it is necessary to define priorities focussing on the management of reactions, as a strategy to improve integrated patient care.