Analysis of the Incidence of Leprosy in the Northeast Region of Brazil: 2011 to 2021

ABSTRACT

Leprosy is a pathology known to mankind for centuries. The clinical manifestations of leprosy depend on the patient's immune reaction against Mycobacterium leprae, ranging from small hypochromic lesions and hypoesthesia to progressive and diffuse infiltrations of the skin, involvement of upper airway mucosa and involvement of cutaneous as well as nerve trunks. In some cases, and especially during reactions there are several manifestations and signs and symptoms of systemic involvement. The objective of the present study was to analyse the incidence of leprosy and the epidemiological parameters in the period from 2011 to 2021, in the Northeast of Brazil. The Notifiable Diseases Information System-SINAN of Brazil was consulted and is being reported on the detected cases of leprosy. The various parameters being discussed in the present study include sociodemographic aspects, types of injuries, clinical form, treatment regimen, degree of disability and clinical evolution. We were all during a global pandemic in 2020-21. The 2020-21 global pandemic of COVID-19 compromised the monitoring and recording of several diseases, which were left in the background. This fact may have contributed to the drop in the number of leprosy cases registered between 2020 and 2021 in the present study. There were 168,848 reported cases, of which 55.57% were males 62.87% were multiracial, most with low education level, until primary education, 35.63% had multiple skin lesions, 68.51% received treatment for the multibacillary type of disease, 26.83% (24.468) had neuronal impairment and, 71.74%, were considered cured. Despite the drop in the global number of cases observed in the region, several factors are still worrying, these require actions that contribute to the eradication of leprosy in the region, and these include programs that eradicate poverty, implementation of health programs that favour early diagnosis and treatment of leprosy cases, reduction of stigma and social exclusion of affected patients.Copyright © Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh, New Delhi.