@article{101692,
  keywords = {leprosy, NLEP, clinico-epidemiological , Grade 2 disability, Maharashtra, Multibacillary},
  author = {Anand V and Kunte R and Jathar S and Singh P},
  title = {Study of Clinico-epidemiological Profile and Treatment Outcome of Leprosy Cases as Per Recent National Leprosy  Eradication Programme in an Urban Area of Western Maharashtra - A Longitudinal Study},
  abstract = {<p>Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease which affects skin, peripheral nerves, limbs and eyes. National leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) gives emphasis on early detection of cases, treatment completion &amp; disability limitation. The newer initiatives are more focused on high prevalent regions while there are few low prevalent regions where prevalence rate is increasing. In view of the recent thrust on leprosy eradication it was felt necessary to study the current profile of leprosy patients including their disabilities &amp; outcome to treatment in a low endemic region. A longitudinal study was carried out in urban leprosy unit and urban health centres of Pune city of Maharashtra. A clinico-epidemiological analysis of all leprosy cases from Oct 2017 to Sep 2018 was done using semi-structured questionnaire and clinical examination. Treatment outcome of all leprosy cases was assessed for entire treatment duration along with evaluation of NLEP using few selected indicators. A total of 89 patients were included in this study who were examined and followed up for treatment duration for clinico-epidemiological profile and treatment outcome. Mean age of study participants is 35.7 years with standard deviation of 15.16. Study showed a very high proportion of multibacillary cases (93.3%). Approximately 27% participants belong to lepromatous leprosy (LL) spectrum while 3.4% to tuberculoid spectrum with rest 70% cases reported as borderline leprosy (BT, BB &amp; BL). In the current study it was observed that 25.8% participants had grade 1 deformity and 11.2% had grade 2 disability (G2D). Majority were released from treatment (88.7%) after completion of MDT while rest could not complete treatment due to various reasons. High percentage of multibacillary cases among new cases and high G2D are indicators of late detection of cases in the community. Few leprosy cases during the study found to have refused treatment. It is recommended that further efforts should be made by the government for raising awareness and empowerment of community so that leprosy cases report early and are treated appropriately.</p>
},
  year = {2024},
  journal = {Indian Journal of Leprosy},
  pages = {295-304},
  url = {https://www.ijl.org.in/published-articles/28122024073708/4.pdf},
  language = {ENG},
}