Evaluation of the Life Span in Leprosy Patients / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The life span of leprosy was shorter than general populations prior to sulfone therapy. OBJECTIVE: This study set out to determine the life length of leprosy patients in comparison with general populations. METHODS: The subject of this study was the dead leprosy patients from January 1970 to December 1991, registered in Taegu Fatima hospital Leprosy Clinic, Korea. The data were obtained by analyzing medical records of dead leprosy patients and simutaneously life tables. After the age of onset(Xi), the life expectancy of Xi in the life table(Ex) and the age of death(X) were examined, and then a real life expectancy(rEx) was computed by X-Xi-Ex (rEx=X-Xi-Ex). RESULTS: The average life span of leprosy patients was 60.80+/-14.11 years in comparison with 67.04years of general populations. In regard to real life expectancy, patients were -4.98+/-13.5years; that is, the patients' life expectancy is shorter tan general populations by about 5yerars. For the span of life by disease type was 59.26+/-13.9years, PB type 62.42+/-14.1(p>0.1). For those whose age of onset occured before(n=77) and after (n=244) 20-years average life span 54.57+/-14.9, 62.77+/-13.2(p0.1). In MB type between before(n=40) and after(n=124) age 20 average life span 52.40+/-13.9, 61.47+/-13.2(p0.1). In PB type between before(n=37) and after(n=119) age 20 average life span 56.92+/-15.7, 64.13+/-13.2(p0.1). For those whose death year occured before(n=158) and after(n=163) 1981 average life span 58.31+/-13.99+/-13.85(p<0.01) real life expectancy -8.48+/-11.97, -1.59+/-14.15(p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The average life span of leprosy patients was shorter than general populations was shorter than general populations by about 5years.(