Factors associated with neural alterations and physical disabilities in patients with leprosy in São Luis, State of Maranhão, Brazil

Introduction Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk factors that are associated with neural alterations and physical disabilities in leprosy patients at the time of diagnosis. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 155 leprosy patients who participated in a program that aimed to eliminate leprosy from São Luis, State of Maranhão. Results Patients who were 31-45 years of age, were older than 60 years of age or had a partner were more likely to have a disability. Patients with partners were 1.14 times more likely (p = 0.025) to have disabilities of the hands. The frequency of disabilities in the feet among the patients with different clinical forms of leprosy was statistically significant. Conclusions The identification of risk factors that are associated with neural alterations and physical disabilities in leprosy patients is important for diagnosing the disease because this approach enables physicians to plan and prioritize actions for the treatment and monitoring of patients.

引言 麻风病是由麻风分枝杆菌（Mycobacterium leprae）引起的慢性传染性疾病。本研究旨在评估麻风病患者确诊时与神经损害及躯体残疾相关的危险因素。方法 本研究针对参与巴西马拉尼昂州圣路易斯市麻风病消除项目的155名麻风病患者，开展了一项前瞻性横断面研究。结果 31~45岁、60岁以上或有配偶的患者出现残疾的风险更高。有配偶的患者手部残疾发生风险为无配偶者的1.14倍（p=0.025）。不同临床分型麻风患者的足部残疾发生率存在统计学显著差异。结论 识别麻风病患者确诊时与神经损害及躯体残疾相关的危险因素，对疾病诊断具有重要价值，该方法可帮助医师制定患者治疗与监测方案并明确工作优先级。