Physical disabilities in leprosy patients after discharge from multidrug therapy in Northern Brazil

Chronic sequelae and disabilities are one of the main problems in leprosy. The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of disabilities in leprosy patients after successfully completing multidrug therapy in Araguaina, Tocantins State, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study including 282 cases diagnosed from 2004 to 2009. The degrees of disability at diagnosis and at discharge from treatment were collected from medical records and the National Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). A simplified neurological workup was performed after discharge from treatment. The prevalence of disabilities at diagnosis was 29.4%, and 8.9% of then was grade II. Between diagnosis and discharge, the degree of physical disability worsened in 25% of cases. At diagnosis, the proportion of deformities was significantly higher in men (RR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.23-2.37). There was a significant association between disability and multibacillary disease (p < 0.001) and occurrence of reactions (p < 0.001). The data show that after discharge from multidrug therapy, in order to prevent chronic sequelae and functional limitations, continuous monitoring is still needed for individuals that have been recorded as cured and thus deleted from the records.