7 research outputs found
Multibacillary leprosy by population groups in Brazil: Lessons from an observational study
<div><p>Background</p><p>Leprosy remains an important public health problem in Brazil where 28,761 new cases were diagnosed in 2015, the second highest number of new cases detected globally. The disease is caused by <i>Mycobacterium leprae</i>, a pathogen spread by patients with multibacillary (MB) leprosy. This study was designed to identify population groups most at risk for MB disease in Brazil, contributing to new ideas for early diagnosis and leprosy control.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A national databank of cases reported in Brazil (2001–2013) was used to evaluate epidemiological characteristics of MB leprosy. Additionally, the databank of a leprosy reference center was used to determine factors associated with higher bacillary loads.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 541,090 cases were analyzed. New case detection rates (NCDRs) increased with age, especially for men with MB leprosy, reaching 44.8 new cases/100,000 population in 65–69 year olds. Males and subjects older than 59 years had twice the odds of MB leprosy than females and younger cases (OR = 2.36, CI95% = 2.33–2.38; OR = 1.99, CI95% = 1.96–2.02, respectively). Bacillary load was higher in male and in patients aged 20–39 and 40–59 years compared to females and other age groups. From 2003 to 2013, there was a progressive reduction in annual NCDRs and an increase in the percentage of MB cases and of elderly patients in Brazil. These data suggest reduction of leprosy transmission in the country.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Public health policies for leprosy control in endemic areas in Brazil should include activities especially addressed to men and to the elderly in order to further reduce <i>M</i>. <i>leprae</i> transmission.</p></div
Mean new case detection rates (NCDR) of leprosy in Brazil (2001–2013).
<p>3a) NCDR by sex according to age group. 3b) NCDR by sex and operational classification according to age group. MB: multibacillary, PB: paucibacillary.</p
Annual indicators for leprosy in Brazil (2001–2013)
<p>Annual indicators for leprosy in Brazil (2001–2013)</p
Mean new case detection rates (NCDR) of leprosy by time period, according to age group–Brazil (2001 to 2013).
<p>Mean new case detection rates (NCDR) of leprosy by time period, according to age group–Brazil (2001 to 2013).</p
Bacillary index of leprosy cases at diagnosis by sex according to age groups–Ambulatório Souza Araújo, Fiocruz/RJ, Brazil (1990–2014).
<p>5a = All cases; 5b = MB cases. * = extremes, dots = outliers, horizontal bar = median, box = 25–75 percentiles.</p
Mean new case detection rates (NCDR) of leprosy by Brazilian state (2001 to 2013).
<p>Mean new case detection rates (NCDR) of leprosy by Brazilian state (2001 to 2013).</p
Sex ratio of leprosy cases detected without disabilities, by operational classification according to age group–Brazil.
<p>MB: multibacillary, PB: paucibacillary.</p