Relapse in leprosy is attributed to the multiplication of the persisters, inadequate treatment, default in treatment and due to drug resistance. The primary objective of this study was to determine if intake of systemic steroids for lepra reactions during the treatment phase of leprosy contributes to relapse later after release from treatment. This is a 10 year retrospective study done in a tertiary care centre of Kerala, South India. There were a total of 499 leprosy cases in this 10 year study. There were 29 cases of relapse with a relapse rate of 5.81%. There were 24 males (82.76%) and 5 females (17.24%) with a male/female ratio of 4.8:1. The commonest spectrum prior to relapse was borderline tuberculoid, 13 cases. In the total number of relapsed cases (29), 13 cases were on systemic steroids prior to relapse and this was statistically significant (‘P’< 0.001). However, the duration of steroid therapy in contributing to relapse in respect to less than and greater than 5 months was not statistically significant (‘P’=0.118). This study has demonstrated that steroids given for lepra reactions might increase the risk of future relapse in these patients after RFT. However this is a preliminary observation and sample size is small. Hence future studies with larger sample size may through more light on this aspect of leprosy. These patients should be carefully and regularly followed up to detect relapse.
BT - Indian Journal of Leprosy CY - New Delhi LA - Eng N2 -Relapse in leprosy is attributed to the multiplication of the persisters, inadequate treatment, default in treatment and due to drug resistance. The primary objective of this study was to determine if intake of systemic steroids for lepra reactions during the treatment phase of leprosy contributes to relapse later after release from treatment. This is a 10 year retrospective study done in a tertiary care centre of Kerala, South India. There were a total of 499 leprosy cases in this 10 year study. There were 29 cases of relapse with a relapse rate of 5.81%. There were 24 males (82.76%) and 5 females (17.24%) with a male/female ratio of 4.8:1. The commonest spectrum prior to relapse was borderline tuberculoid, 13 cases. In the total number of relapsed cases (29), 13 cases were on systemic steroids prior to relapse and this was statistically significant (‘P’< 0.001). However, the duration of steroid therapy in contributing to relapse in respect to less than and greater than 5 months was not statistically significant (‘P’=0.118). This study has demonstrated that steroids given for lepra reactions might increase the risk of future relapse in these patients after RFT. However this is a preliminary observation and sample size is small. Hence future studies with larger sample size may through more light on this aspect of leprosy. These patients should be carefully and regularly followed up to detect relapse.
PB - Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh PP - New Delhi PY - 2023 SP - 159 EP - 164 T2 - Indian Journal of Leprosy TI - Do Systemic Steroids Given for Lepra Reactions Increase the Risk of Relapse after Release from Treatment?: A 10 year Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Centre UR - https://www.ijl.org.in/published-articles/29092023213733/1.pdf VL - 95 ER -