Relapse rate among smear-positive leprosy cases after 12 blister packs and 24 blister packs of multibacillary drug therapy in a tertiary hospital

ABSTRACT

@#BACKGROUND: Several trials on relapse rates on duration of multibacillary regimens have varying results. OBJECTIVE: To compare the relapse rate among smear-positive Leprosy patients receiving 12 blister packs of multibacillary drug therapy and 24 blister packs of multibacillary drug therapy. METHOD: A review of records of smear positive Leprosy patients seen from 2002 to 2006 was done. Demographic, clinical and therapeutic data were collected. Bacteriologic index was determined from Leprosy Laboratory records. RESULT: A total of 391 patients were found to have complete records for review and analysis. Relapse rate was 11.9%(28) for patients who received 12 blister packs and 1.91%(3) for patients who received 24 blister packs and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.01). Distribution of relapse was statistically significant according to age (p<0.01), bacteriologic index (p<0.01) and clinical spectrum (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Relapse rates shown among smear positive leprosy patients receiving 12 blister packs vs. those receiving 24 blister packs was statistically higher which differs from previously published studies. Significant predictors were clinical spectrum, bacteriologic index of >3.5, and >4 and number of blister packs.