Estudo das reacões hansênicas durante a poliquimioterapia em unidades de saúde da região metropolitana da Grande Vitória

• Autor(a) principal: Ventura, Katia Gualberto
• Data de Publicação: 2006
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (riUfes)
• Texto Completo: http://repositorio.ufes.br/handle/10/5879
• topic: Leprosy; Hanseníase; Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias; 61

Introduction Leprosy reactions are acute, potentially disabling inflammatory episodes which occur during the chronic course of the disease. The identification of risk factors is essential for a closer monitoring of at-risk patients and for preventing disabilities. Objective To estimate the frequency of inflammatory episodes during MDT and the risk factors they may pose. Methods A cohort study was undertaken, involving 108 patients diagnosed with PB and MB leprosy and observed during MDT. The study was carried out from May 2004 through April 2006, and the patients were monitored at the Health Units of Metropolitan Region of Vitória or at the University Hospital (HUCAM). Clinical and socio-demographic data were obtained through a questionnaire. Patients underwent a dermato-neurological evaluation and had their degree of disability rated (GI). A biopsy of the cutaneous lesions and a baciloscopy were performed, as well as a parasitological examination of faeces. Patients were also tested for HIV. When a leprosy reaction was suspected both the GI and the biopsy were repeated. An attempt was made in establishing a correlation between the reactions and variables such as sex, age, delay of leprosy diagnosis, type of leprosy, neural damage, number of lesions, the number of body segments affected by the disease, GI, baciloscopy, parasitological examination of faeces, and the HIV 1 and 2 test results. Results Leprosy reactions were observed in 20,4% of the 108 MB and PB patients during MDT; RR in 11,1%. ENL in 1, 8% and neuritis in 7, 4%. Both RR and ENL occurred mainly in the first 6 months of MDT, while ENL occurred in all cases in the second semester. Reactions were more common in borderline patients (31,8% of BT, 13,6% of BB and 13,6% of BV). Leprosy reactions were also more common in patients with more than 5 skin lesions and with 2 or more body segments involved. Patients older than 45 had a higher risk of RR, while IB>3 was associated with ENL. No correlation was observed between the remaining variables and the leprosy reactions. Conclusion 1) Leprosy reactions are common complications which may occur anytime during MDT; 2) Particular groups of patients seem to be at a higher risk for reactions and therefore should be more closely monitored: patients older than 45 (RR), clinical forms BT to RR, L to ENL and T to isolated neuritis -, number of skin lesions > 5, 2 to 3 body segments affected and IB 3 (ENL). Key words: leprosy; leprosy reactions; RR, ENL, neuritis, MDT.