The Impact of Leprosy on Quality of Life of Patients and Their Families

Background: Hansen's disease [HD], often known as leprosy, is a bacterial disease with a long history that is still prevalent today. This infection can manifest in a number of different ways, causing damage to peripheral nerves, skin, and testes. The functional activity limitations [FALs] caused by leprosy are well understood. Physical and mental well-being, autonomy, social connections, perspectives, and the natural setting all contribute to one's quality of life [QoL].

Aim of the work: This work aimed to measure how leprosy affects patients' and their family's quality of Life.

Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 100 patients and their families. All of them were recruited from Dermatology, Venereology & Andrology Department Outpatient Clinics, Al-Azhar University Hospitals [Damietta], and Dermatology and Leprosy Hospitals in Tanta and Damietta. The quality of life of leprosy patients was evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI].

Results: There was a significant relationship among [DLQI] result of patients and different lesion sites except for mucous lesions. Regarding family questionnaire, the majority of participants [87%] reported being sympathetic, and the minority of patients feel afraid with [4%], and [9%] feel normal when seeing a leprosy patient.

Conclusion: Leprosy severely affects the patient’s and his/her family quality of life. The disability is the major important factor for the degree of quality of life impairment. There is still a need to raise awareness about lepromatous leprosy and its effects on patients' quality of life and the general public's understanding of the disease.