Deficiencies and disabilities in leprosy: from the diagnosis to discharge by cure

Abstract

The aim was to compare the level of physical disability of the affected body sites, the deficiencies and disabilitiespresent in affected nerves in the diagnosis and discharge of leprosy patients. Thisis a study developed between 2009 and 2014 in areferencecenter for leprosy in Paraíba. It involved 414 medical records, using a structured form. The data were analyzed using descriptive (absolute frequency and percentage) and inferential (Wilcoxon’s and Mcnemar’s tests) statistical techniques. There was a decrease of impairment in body sites (nose p=0.000), in disabilities (dryness p=0.002 and wound p=0.000 on the nose and ulcer p=0.004 in the feet) and, of the numberof affected nerves (p=0.000) between the diagnosis and discharge by cure. In the analysis of the years 2009-2014, a reduction of patients presenting level 2 of physical disability was noted. Therefore, in conclusion, even after the discharge, the patients are favorable to develop or to aggravate physical disabilities, needing periodical accompaniment.