PROFILE OF PERSONS WITH AND WITHOUT COMORBIDITIES, STRICKEN BY LEPROSY REACTIONS

Abstract

This study aimed to identify clinical and epidemiological characteristics in patients with and without comorbidities from leprosy and leprosy reactions. It is quantitative, descriptive and correlational research, undertaken through 65 interviews in a specialized center in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, with data collected between October 2013 and March 2014. The men represented most of the group without comorbidities, while women and older adults represented the group with comorbidities. High frequencies in the two groups point to the Lepromatous form as the most common, and to some degree of disability. There was positive correlation between number of other drugs versus other comorbidities and negative correlation between number of people who live with the interviewee versus the number of comorbidities which the interviewee has. Late diagnosis was evidenced due to high frequencies of disabilities, as well as groups at risk for leprosy reactions and comorbidities, made up of women, older adults, people with low educational level, people who did not work and those who used a higher number of medications.

Keywords

• Leprosy
• Mycobacterium leprae
• Communicable diseases
• Neglected diseases