Clinical-Epidemiological Characterization of Leprosy in Guisa Municipality

Abstract

Introduction: Leprosy is one of the diseases first described in the ancient world. It is a chronic, bacterial, granulomatous disease of infectious etiology, caused by Mycobacterium leprae.

Objective: To characterize leprosy clinical-epidemiologically.

Methods: An observational, retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in Guisa Municipality, Granma Province. The study universe was made up of the total number of patients diagnosed with leprosy in the period from January 2015 to December 2020 (N=9). The statistical method of percentage calculation was applied.

Results: The highest incidence was observed in 2016, with five cases (55.6 %). The highest representation corresponded to the male sex, with six cases (66.7 %); and the age group 45-59 years, with five cases (55.6 %). The lepromatous clinical form (Madrid classification) had the highest incidence, with five cases (55.6 %); while, according to the operational or sanitary classification, the multibacillary form had the highest representation.

Conclusions: Leprosy is not currently a health concern in Guisa Municipality. Active screening and timely diagnosis of this disease can reduce the appearance of its complications and the disability that it causes.