Background: Leprosy, is a chronic infectious disease affecting mainly the skin and nerves. Use of MDT improved the compliance of patients. However, persisting activity, reactions and relapses have been observed in a section of these patients, and above all classification itself poses problems in the field setup at times. To overcome this, and to benefit the field staff, Uniform MDT (UMDT) has been advocated.
Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and histological advantages of adding clofazimine in PB patients.
Material and Methods: All new patients who were diagnosed to have PB leprosy attending the outpatient department of Skin and VD at CCM Medical College, Durg (CG), and Pt. JNM Medical College, Raipur (CG) between January 2016 to June 2017 were included in the study. The number and morphology of lesions and anaesthesia were recorded. The site and thickening of the nerve trunk was noted. Slit-skin smear was done from all patients and only smear-negative patients were included. Skin biopsy was done after obtaining a written consent from the margin of the lesion. After confirming the diagnosis alternate patients were started on PB and MB regimens. Patients were followed up every month when changes in the skin and nerve trunk lesions were recorded.
Results: Forty four patients completed the study including one year of follow-up. There were 32 males and 12 females. The age group ranged from 10 to 72 years with a mean age of 25.8 years. Clinical improvement, revealed that out of 26 patients with Grade-IV resolution, 20 patients received MB regimen. Improvement in nerve thickening, revealed 70% improvement with the MB regimen. We did not encounter side effects of antileprosy drugs in the study group.
Conclusion: To conclude, the addition of clofazimine in the PB regimen is fully justified adding strength to the concept of Uniform MDT (U-MDT).
Background: Leprosy, is a chronic infectious disease affecting mainly the skin and nerves. Use of MDT improved the compliance of patients. However, persisting activity, reactions and relapses have been observed in a section of these patients, and above all classification itself poses problems in the field setup at times. To overcome this, and to benefit the field staff, Uniform MDT (UMDT) has been advocated.
Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and histological advantages of adding clofazimine in PB patients.
Material and Methods: All new patients who were diagnosed to have PB leprosy attending the outpatient department of Skin and VD at CCM Medical College, Durg (CG), and Pt. JNM Medical College, Raipur (CG) between January 2016 to June 2017 were included in the study. The number and morphology of lesions and anaesthesia were recorded. The site and thickening of the nerve trunk was noted. Slit-skin smear was done from all patients and only smear-negative patients were included. Skin biopsy was done after obtaining a written consent from the margin of the lesion. After confirming the diagnosis alternate patients were started on PB and MB regimens. Patients were followed up every month when changes in the skin and nerve trunk lesions were recorded.
Results: Forty four patients completed the study including one year of follow-up. There were 32 males and 12 females. The age group ranged from 10 to 72 years with a mean age of 25.8 years. Clinical improvement, revealed that out of 26 patients with Grade-IV resolution, 20 patients received MB regimen. Improvement in nerve thickening, revealed 70% improvement with the MB regimen. We did not encounter side effects of antileprosy drugs in the study group.
Conclusion: To conclude, the addition of clofazimine in the PB regimen is fully justified adding strength to the concept of Uniform MDT (U-MDT).