Radiological Changes in Leprosy Patients WithDisabilities and Deformities of Hands and Feet

Background/Aim:  Leprosy  (Hansen's  disease)  affects  the  skin  and  nerves. Hands and feet are commonly involved in all types of leprosy often leading to deformities. This study explored radiological changes in leprosy patients with hand and foot disabilities/deformities.

Methods:  Observational  retrospective  study  was  the  chosen  design.  Study was conducted on 50 leprosy patients presenting at a tertiary care hospital with hand and foot disabilities during 2020-2022. Leprosy types were clinically diagnosed, confirmed by acid-fast bacilli staining. Bacterio-logical index (BI) and morphological index (MI) were calculated via Ridley's scale. Histopathological examination of the skin lesions was also conduct-ed. Radiological exams, anteroposterior and lateral X-rays, identified spe-cific/non-specific bone changes.

Results:  Mean  age  was  38.8  years,  bone  changes  identified  at  40.3  years. Radiological changes were seen in 42.0 % patients (34 % patients had  non-specific  and  16  %  had  specific  changes).  These  changes  were  seen more common and earlier in females as compared to males, the dif-ference however was not significant (p = 0.6). Mean BI (2.8) and MI (32 %) of the patients with bone changes were slightly higher than those without bone changes but the differences were not statistically significant (2.2 and 27 %) (p = 0.2). Common specific changes were periostitis and subartic-ular  erosion  while  osteopenia  and  phalangeal  resorption  were  the  most  common non-specific changes.

Conclusion: Non-specific bone changes were more common than spe-cific ones and in females as compared to males. Lepromatous leprosy (LL) was associated with maximum bone changes with varied involvement in other types of leprosy.