Dapsone-induced hemolytic anemia in non-G6PD deficient leprosy patients receiving multidrug therapy in Southern Philippines Medical Center: A retrospective study

ABSTRACT

Background@#Due to the high prevalence and incidence of leprosy in the Philippines, there is a continuing need to detect and document the occurrence of dapsone-induced hemolytic anemia. @*Objective@#The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of dapsone-induced hemolytic anemia in non-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient leprosy patients receiving multidrug therapy (MDT) in Southern Philippines Medical Center.@*Methodology@#This is a retrospective study through chart review of leprosy patients treated with MDT regimen at Southern Philippines Medical Center from January 2016 to December 2018. The demographic profile, clinical characteristics, hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations before and after initiation of MDT, the presence of symptoms of anemia, and the occurrence of dapsone-induced hemolytic anemia in leprosy patients were collected. The main outcome measure for this study was the incidence rate of dapsone- induced hemolytic anemia. Statistical-based analysis were used for continuous and categorical data which were summarized using means and standard deviations, and frequencies and percentages, respectively.@*Results@#There was a decrease in the mean hemoglobin and hematocrit levels noted in the majority of patients after initiation of MDT from baseline 143.46 g/dl and 0.44, respectively, to 94 g/dl and 0.28 on the third month of MDT. The incidence rate of dapsone-induced hemolytic anemia during the 3-year period was 20 cases per 100.@*Conclusion@#The relatively high incidence rate of dapsone-induced hemolytic anemia highlights the importance of frequent monitoring of hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations in leprosy patients being treated with multidrug therapy.