@article{93680,
  keywords = {Brazil, Elderly, Epidemiology, leprosy},
  author = {Rocha M and Nobre M and Garcia LP},
  title = {Temporal trend of leprosy among the elderly in Brazil, 2001 - 2018.},
  abstract = {<p><b>Objective: </b>To describe the temporal trends of leprosy indicators among the elderly in Brazil in 2001 - 2018.</p><p><b>Methods: </b>This was an ecological time-series study of new leprosy cases in the elderly reported to the Notifiable Diseases Information System. Prais-Winsten generalized linear regression was used to estimate temporal variations.</p><p><b>Results: </b>There were 687 317 new leprosy cases in Brazil from 2001 - 2018, of which 129 214 (18.8%) were among elderly people. Overall detection rates in the elderly and of new cases with grade-2 disability showed a falling trend, with an annual percent change of -4.6% (95%CI = -5.1 to -4.0) and -3.9% (95%CI = -4.6 to -3.2). New case and new multibacillary case proportions showed an increasing trend, with an annual percent change of 2.9% (95%CI = 2.6 to 3.3) and 1.4% (95%CI = 1.0 to 1.7), respectively. Detection rates for new leprosy cases in elderly people in Brazil are decreasing, but the proportion of new cases and multibacillary cases are trending upwards.</p><p><b>Conclusions: </b>New cases are shifting to older age groups, and demographic transition and immunosenescence are an influence. Inadequate reduction of grade-2 disability indicates a high risk of physical disability persists. Improved contact tracing and more effective action are needed in this age group.</p>},
  year = {2020},
  journal = {Revista panamericana de salud publica = Pan American journal of public health},
  volume = {44},
  pages = {e12},
  month = {01/2020},
  issn = {1680-5348},
  url = {https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/51861},
  doi = {10.26633/RPSP.2020.12},
  language = {eng},
}