Publication:

A clinical profile of leprosy patients in a tertiary hospital, Karnataka: a retrospective study

Background Leprosy is a chronic mycobacterial infection and is still a major health hazard in India.

Methods This was a retrospective study over 12 years of all cases diagnosed clinically as leprosy in a tertiary hospital at Hassan district, Karnataka. Confirmation of diagnosis was based on slit skin smear and biopsy was done in doubtful cases.

Results Out of 214 patients, 152 were males and 62 were females. The prevalence was maximum in the age group 21-30 years. Borderline group formed the major part of the spectrum, consisting of 154 (71.96%) patients. Maximum patients 97 (45.3%) were of borderline tuberculoid (BT) leprosy, followed by 59 (27.57%) cases of borderline lepromatous leprosy (BL). 25 (11.68%) cases had tuberculoid leprosy (TT) and 20 (9.34%)cases were of lepromatous leprosy among which 3 were diagnosed as histoid leprosy. 6 patients had pure neuritic leprosy and 4 patients were in relapse.

Conclusions Even though leprosy is eliminated, it continues to be a public health problem in our country. Stricter surveillance for early diagnosis and treatment is needed to eradicate leprosy from India.