Clinical-Epidemiological Aspects of Hansen’s Disease in a Health Area

Abstract

Introduction: Leprosy is an infectious disease of the skin and nerves, caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. If not treated early and effectively, it is among the chronic conditions that cause deformities and disabilities in the world population, which has a great social effect.

Objective: To characterize the clinical-epidemiological aspects of leprosy.

Methods: An observational, retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in the health area corresponding to Mártires del 4 Agosto Polyclinic, Guantánamo Municipality, in the period 2019-2020. The universe was made up of the eleven patients diagnosed with the disease. The variables studied were age, sex, operational classification of the World Health Organization, clinical forms according to Madrid classification, and degree of disability. The statistical method of percentage calculation was applied and the results were presented in tables.

Results: There was a predominance of patients aged 60-74 years, multibacillary and lepromatous forms, as well as grade 0 disability. No significant differences were observed regarding sex.

Conclusions: The effective implementation of the Cuban program for leprosy prevention allows an early diagnosis, an effective therapy and a low prevalence of disabilities.