Characterization of Hansen’s Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Leprosy is an infectious granulomatous disease, little contagious, of chronic evolution, caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It affects mainly the skin, peripheral nerves, the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and eyes. If it is not treated early and effectively, it causes deformities and disabilities, which have a great social repercussion.

Objective: To characterize patients diagnosed with leprosy.

Methods: A descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study was carried out. The universe consisted of twelve patients diagnosed with Hansen's disease and treated at Carlos J. Finlay Military Hospital, during the period 2010-2020. The following variables were described: sex, age groups, clinical forms, presence of disability and province of residence.

Results: The year with the highest incidence of the disease was 2017, accounting for three cases. 58.3 % corresponded to the age group 18-30 years, and 83.3 % of the patients were male. 41.6 % of the cases were classified as lepromatous leprosy.

Conclusions: This study provided the tools for establishing an early diagnosis and timely treatment of the identified patients, thus interrupting the chain of transmission, decreasing the incidence of the disease and avoiding disabilities. The dissemination of knowledge about the disease should be increased, as well as the training of general practitioners and specialists from different disciplines.