EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF LEPROSY IN THE WEST MACROREGION OF THE STATE OF PARANÁ

Abstract

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It has a predilection for the skin and peripheral nerves, which gives the particular characteristics of the pathology. The main form of transmission is through the upper airways. Brazil is one of the countries with the highest number of cases of the disease in the world, and even though the number of cases has reduced over the years, it still remains relevant and requires attention. This study is a quantitative survey among patients diagnosed with leprosy in the western macro-region of the state of Paraná. As a research instrument, the database of the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) was used, through the Information Technology Department of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), to measure the impact of leprosy in the specified location. At the end of the study, it was found that the age group between 40 and 69 years old is prevalent in relation to the total number of leprosy cases, as well as men, white or mixed race, with the multibacillary form of the disease predominating.