Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical ()

Leprosy in Southern Brazil: a twenty-year epidemiological profile

  • Ana Paula Nazario,
  • Jair Ferreira,
  • Lavínia Schuler-Faccini,
  • Marilu Fiegenbaum,
  • Osvaldo Artigalás,
  • Fernanda Sales Luiz Vianna

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0229-2016
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 50, no. 2
pp. 251 – 255

Abstract

Read online

Abstract INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated leprosy rates in Rio Grande do Sul, an area with a historically low prevalence. However, recent studies are lacking. METHODS: Data extracted from a National Database were analyzed for clinical features and compared to 1980s data. Tendency was assessed via stationarity analysis. RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2011, 4,770 cases were reported (0.21/10,000 inhabitants; 95% CI = 0.19-0.24). Detection was slightly higher among males, 1.9% cases were among children and most multibacillary (74.7%) at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Leprosy is controlled in RS, but most cases are multibacillary. Early identification is important to avoid disabilities due to late diagnosis.

Keywords