Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of Leprosy in Post Elimination Era: A Hospital Based Study

ABSTRACT

In December 2005, National leprosy Eradication Programme of India announced elimination of leprosy as a public health problem at national level. However, a significant number of new cases continue to be diagnosed in India. This study was carried out in Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Leprology, AIIMS, Patna where we have retrospectively analysed the clinicoepidemiological profile of of registered cases of leprosy between January 2016 and December 2017. Out of 464 fresh / default leprosy patients who reported to our department, a majority proportion (24.35%) belonged to 30 to 39 years age group followed by 20-29 yr (23.49%) 40-49 yr (19.39%), remaining belonged to other age groups. There was male preponderance. By occupation most of patients were farmers and labourers. Borderline Tuberculoid (29.41%) was the most frequent morphological type, but the proportion of Lepromatous Leprosy (21%) was significant. Overall, multi-bacillary leprosy (80.17%) cases were the most dominant type. 34.91% patients presented in reaction, among these Type 1 in 40.74% and type 2 in 59.25%. Disabilities were found in 172 (37.06%) patients with Type 1 disabilities in 76 (16.37%) patients and Type 2 disabilities in 96 (20.68%) patients. Clinically thickened peripheral nerve enlargements were recorded in 421 patients (90.73%). Ulnar nerve was found to be the most commonly involved nerve. History of contact was present in 10.34% of cases. 296 (63.79%) patients belonged to rural area whereas 168 (36.28%) belonged to urban area. Very high proportion of multi-bacillary cases, reactions and also high disability rates indicate the need for in depth studies at community level and appropriate remedial public health measures.