Physical disability degree in the elderly population affected by leprosy in the state of Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the degree of physical disability in the elderly population affected by leprosy in Bahia State, between 2001 and 2012. Methods: The data relating to cases of leprosy was obtained from National System of Notifiable Diseases. Variables analyzed gender, age, race/color, education level, clinical and operational classification, degree of physical incapacity in diagnosis and discharge. Epidemiological indicators related to physical incapacity were calculated. Results: The leprosy features high magnitude in the elderly population, with a coefficient of detection of new cases higher than the general population, situated at a hyperendemic level. As to the epidemiological profile of leprosy in elderly, stands out: men, age 60 to 69 years, white race, low education level, dimorphic clinical manifestation and multibacillary operational classification. 36.25% of diagnosed cases had a physical incapacity at the time of diagnosis, with emphasis on the masculine gender. Conclusion: The high proportion of individuals with physical incapacity at the time of diagnosis suggests late diagnosis and hidden prevalence of the disease, mostly in Individuals of the male gender.

The hidden prevalence of leprosy: a comparative study between two Brazilian cities

“…The country is thus classified as highly endemic 2,3 . Over the past decades, there has been an effort by the Brazilian government to diminish the disease's impact; however, in the Northeast, North, and Central-West Regions, epidemiological indicators demonstrate that the disease is far from being eliminated as a public health problem 3,4 .…”

Transtornos mentais comuns e fatores associados entre pessoas com hanseníase: análise transversal em Cuiabá, 2018 *

“…This conclusion was also reached by other studies with the Brazilian population. , 8,21 The association between being elderly and CMDs may, possibly, be due to the process of aging and consequent decline in the person's physical condition, 22 favoring the occurrence of other morbidities and complicating even more the clinical picture of a disease like leprosy.…”

Características epidemiológicas da hanseníase nos idosos e comparação com outros grupos etários, Brasil (2016-2018)

“…Apesar dos diferentes níveis de endemicidade da hanseníase no Brasil 4,10 , foram encontradas maiores taxas de detecção da doença nos idosos, quando comparadas às demais faixas etárias. Nobre et al 5 e Dornels et al 20 encontraram resultados semelhantes, para o Brasil e a Bahia, respectivamente. Esse perfil se deve ao longo período de incubação dos casos multibacilares, mais frequente nos idosos 21 .…”