A 5 year study of leprosy patients in a tertiary care centre

The implementation of MDT has resulted in bringing the national prevalence down to elimination of less than 1/10, 000 in December 2005 and even further down to 0.66/10, 000 in 2016. This study highlights the demographic data, clinical features, reactions and deformities in leprosy patients; thereby bringing to light the public health importance of this simmering disease.

It is a retrospective study of leprosy patients in S.B.K.S Medical Institute & Research Centre, Piparia, Waghodia, Vadodara. Study-subjects included patients with leprosy who presented at dermatology OPD from 1st April 2013 & till 31st march 2018. Statistical analysis was done using percentages and tables.

There were a total of 329 cases. 10 patients (3.03%) were in pediatric age group. Male preponderance with M: F ratio is 2.2: 1. Family history was seen in 8 patients (2.43%). 69.91% patients were from rural area. Clinically 8.38% patients had single patch, 90.57% had nerve involvement. The most common type was borderline tuberculoid leprosy (33.17%). Out of these 329 cases, 209 cases had completed the treatment, 89 were on treatment. 31 patients were defaulters.

Inspite of advent of MDT since 1981 and a multipronged approach by the government to eradicate the disease, we still continue to see new and inadequately treated cases; several of them land up in permanent deformities. Our study is only the tip of iceberg as several cases in the interiors of India still go untreated.