The glittre-ADL test can be used to assess the functional performance in patients with leprosy: A controlled transversal study

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess functional capacity in leprosy patients by using the Glittre-ADL test, comparing it with the performance of healthy subjects, and correlating with the Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA) scale and quality of life (QoL). Methods: A controlled transversal study was conducted with 27 participants, 16 patients with leprosy (Leprosy Group, LG) and 11 healthy participants (Control Group, CG). Eligible participants performed the Glittre ADL-test and answered the QoL Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). Additionally, the participants in the LG answered the SALSA and the WHO's Participation Scale. Results: Time to complete the Glittre-ADL test was higher in LG compared with CG (5.06 ± 0.96 min versus 3.76 ± 0.78 min, p lessthan 0.05). The activity limitations according to the SALSA scale total scores revealed moderate limitations. A significant correlation was observed between the Glittre-ADL test and the SALSA score (r = 0.74) but no with QoL. Patients with leprosy showed a worse quality of life compared with their healthy pairs. Conclusion: The Glittre test is a valid test to assess functional performance in patients with leprosy, differentiating them from their healthy pairs. This is a suitable option to questionnaires and scales when an objective assessment of the functional performance is required in patients with leprosy.

Leprosy patients quality of life: a scoping review

“…Leprosy patients indicated worse QoL scores when compared to the general population (15,22,24,33,37,40,66) .…”

“…The studies included in this review showed that leprosy individuals had significantly lower QoL when compared to populations with other dermatoses (35,71) and the general population (15,22,24,33,37,40,66) , which is corroborated by other studies that indicate that factors such as delayed diagnosis (2,8,43,74,76,(78)(79) , the presence of leprosy reactions (2,8,16,(61)(62)72) , disability (5,8,39,72) , neuropathic pain (7,(17)(18)63,86) , and stigma (2,41,54) are often associated with greater losses in QoL.…”

“…The findings of this study showed that physical domainwhich mainly covers the assessment of pain and discomfort, dependence on medication or treatment, energy and fatigue, sleep and rest, mobility, daily activities and work capacityoften had lower scores in the QoL assessment in studies with leprosy patients (10,(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)44,(56)(57)(58)(59)(60)(61)(63)(64)(65) . However, it is highlighted that the change in people's lives, based on the symptoms and signs of the disease, the reactions and the development of disabilities, can lead to social isolation, work losses, difficulty in accepting the disease process and self-care; therefore, reaching not only the physical component, but also the emotional, social, and environmental component, as demonstrated in some studies (7,24,(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)45,72) .…”

“…Leprosy patients may have compromised QoL, with damage mainly in the physical and psychological domains. The physical domain has a direct predominance in the patient's work and daily activities, and this can lead to segregation, isolation, and depressive manifestations, while the psychological domain depicts the way patients see themselves and relate to the interactional aspects in the environment where they live (2,(6)(7)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26) .…”