Abstract

ALVES, Cinthia Janine Meira et al. Evaluation of the degree of incapacity of patients with a diagnosis of leprosy at a dermatology service in the state of São Paulo. Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop. [online]. 2010, vol.43, n.4, pp. 460-461. ISSN 0037-8682.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0037-86822010000400025.

IINTRODUCTION: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that can lead to physical incapacity. METHODS: The medical records of 167 patients diagnosed with leprosy between 2003 and 2007 were reviewed. RESULTS: Most of the patients (60%) presented physical incapacity at the time of diagnosis: 34% with grade I and 26% with grade II. It was observed that the degree of incapacity had a direct correlation with the duration of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Leprosy is still diagnosed late, which may contribute towards maintaining this endemic disease.

Keywords : Epidemiology; Physical incapacity; Leprosy.