02145nas a2200277   4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653001200054653001200066653002700078653002100105653002000126100001200146700001500158700001400173700001500187700001400202700001500216700001300231700001300244700002000257700001300277245018200290520138100472022001401853       2023                            d  c01/202310achronic10aleprosy10alimitation of activity10aneuropathic pain10aQuality of Life1 aSilva S1 ade Souza S1 aSantana M1 aDomingos A1 aMartins N1 ade Paula H1 aAraujo H1 aSantos G1 aMartins-Filho P1 aSantos V00aAssessment of neuropathic pain, functional activity limitation and quality of life of people affected by leprosy in an endemic area in Northeast Brazil: a cross-sectional study.3 a<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>This study investigated the prevalence of neuropathic pain (NP) among people affected by leprosy and its effects on functional limitation and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in an endemic area in Northeast Brazil.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>This is a cross-sectional study of 122 leprosy patients. Functional limitation and HRQoL were assessed using the Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA) and WHO Quality-of-Life (WHOQoL-BREF) scales, respectively. Participants were assessed for the presence of pain and completed the Douleur Neuropathique 4 and the Brief Pain Inventory scales.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>The prevalence of NP was 59%. Participants with NP had higher SALSA scores than those without pain (median; IQR: 42; 32-49.5 vs 27.5; 24-34; p=0.002). Increasing SALSA scores were related to decreasing WHOQoL-BREF scores in the physical (r=-0.54; p&lt;0.001), psychological (r=-0.33; p=0.002) and environmental (r=-0.22; p=0.01) domains, but not in the social domain (r=-0.14; p=0.10). Individuals with NP had the lowest scores in all domains compared with individuals without pain.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Appropriate tools and training of clinicians for diagnosing NP in leprosy patients are necessary for their appropriate management and better HRQoL outcomes.</p>
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