Functional Activity Limitation and Quality of Life of Leprosy Cases in an Endemic Area in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundFew studies have evaluated the association between quality of life (QoL) and functional activity limitations (FAL) of leprosy patients as determined by the Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness scale (SALSA).AimTo identify the association between FALs and the QoL of patients during and post leprosy treatment.Materials and MethodsCross-sectional survey of 104 patients with leprosy followed in specialist reference centres in Sergipe, Brazil, between June and October 2014. QoL was evaluated using the World Health Organization-QoL-BREF (WHOQoL-BREF) questionnaire. The SALSA scale was used to measure FALs.ResultsLow SALSA scores were present in 76% of patients. QoL scores were lower for the physical and environmental domains, with median (interquartile range (IQR)) scores of 53.6 (32.1–67.9) and 53.1 (46.9–64.8), respectively. There was a statistical association between increasing SALSA scores and lower QoL as measured by the WHOQoL-BREF.ConclusionFunctional limitations are associated with lower QoL in leprosy patients, especially in the physical and environmental WHOQoL-BREF domains.

Comparison of quality of life evaluated by SF‐36 and DLQI in multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy patients from Sao Paulo, Brazil

“…Reaction symptoms are more severe and incapacitating in MB, as indicated by the development of ulcers and blisters, presence of edema, and reports of pain and fever . Santos and colleagues showed that 75% of the patients reported pain, classified as moderate intensity in 43.1% and severe intensity in 48.2% of the cases. Moreover, pain was associated with the presence of leprosy reactions, as disabilities and lower quality of life .…”

“…Santos and colleagues showed that 75% of the patients reported pain, classified as moderate intensity in 43.1% and severe intensity in 48.2% of the cases. Moreover, pain was associated with the presence of leprosy reactions, as disabilities and lower quality of life . We found an association between the MB group and presence of reactions.…”

“…Patients with leprosy usually show a worse QoL when compared to individuals with other skin diseases, such as psoriasis, eczema, and neurodermatitis . QoL has been widely investigated in leprosy patients with several questionnaires, and probably the original and short versions of World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQoL) were the most used . The aspect of the skin lesions, deformities, and/or disabilities due to neural damage, neuropathic pain in addition to prejudice and social isolation are primarily responsible for psychological and physical functioning impairment .…”

Kualitas Hidup Penderita Kusta Berbasis Teori Health Belief Models (Hbm)

“…Penelitian tentang kualitas hidup penderita kusta yang dilakukan oleh Manker, J. M., Sumedha, J. M., Deepa, V. H. & Mhatre (2011) menunjukkan bahwa skor kualitas hidup penderita kusta lebih rendah dibandingkan kualitas hidup bukan penderita kusta. Faktorfaktor yang mempengaruhi kualitas hidup penderita kusta antara lain jenis kusta yang diderita (An 2009) derajat kecacatan akibat kusta, distres psikologis dan keterbatasan aktivitas akibat komplikasi kusta (Santos 2015) kondisi tempat tinggal dan adanya isolasi dari lingkungan serta adanya stigma yang dialami oleh penderita (Rahayunuingsih 2012).…”

“…Penderita kusta yang memiliki persepsi keseriusan positif, maka akan berusaha mencari pengobatan guna mencegah terjadinya kecacatan dan kematian, karena kecacatan merupakan salah satu faktor yang dapat mempengaruhi kualitas hidup penderita kusta. Santos (2015) menyatakan bahwa keterbatasan aktivitas fisik memiliki hubungan dengan kualitas hidup penderita kusta khususnya dalam domain kesehatan fisik dan lingkungan.…”