01722nas a2200193   4500000000100000008004100001260001700042653002100059100001300080700001400093700001400107700001300121700001200134700001000146245009900156856013700255520112200392022001401514       2022                            d  bCureus, Inc.10aGeneral Medicine1 aJindal R1 aNagrani P1 aChauhan P1 aBisht YS1 aSethi S1 aRoy S00aNutritional Status of Patients With Leprosy Attending a Tertiary Care Institute in North India  uhttps://www.cureus.com/articles/90237-nutritional-status-of-patients-with-leprosy-attending-a-tertiary-care-institute-in-north-india3 a<h4>Introduction</h4>

<p>Leprosy is a chronic, infectious disease resulting in significant physical and social morbidity. This study aims to assess the nutritional status of patients with leprosy.</p>

<h4>Methods</h4>

<p>Treatment-naïve leprosy cases seen over two years at a tertiary care center&nbsp;were recruited in this prospective observational study. Demographic details, type of leprosy, and presence of reactions and disabilities were recorded. Nutritional assessment was done by calculating the body mass index (BMI) and measuring the hemoglobin, serum iron, serum albumin, and serum cholesterol.</p>

<h4>Results</h4>

<p>Fifty patients were recruited with a mean age of 40.5 (15.3) years. Most patients (60%) had a normal BMI of 18.5-24.9, and 14%&nbsp;were underweight. Two-thirds of the patients had low hemoglobin, with 18 (36%) having low serum iron. A statistically significant association was observed between low serum iron and the multibacillary form of leprosy.</p>

<h4>Conclusion</h4>

<p>A nutritional assessment should be included in the initial evaluation of leprosy.</p>
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