CLINICAL-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF LEPROSY IN AN ENDEMIC REGION OF PARAGUAY, 2021-2023

Abstract

This study characterized leprosy in Alto Paraná, Paraguay, between 2021 and 2023, analyzing 119 cases. The results showed a male predominance (60.5%) and an average age of 45.79 years, with most patients residing in urban areas (71.4%). A total of 80.7% of cases were multibacillary, and the lepromatous and borderline lepromatous forms were the most frequent. Detection was mainly by spontaneous consultation (65.5%), which is related to a late diagnosis: 24.1% of patients presented some degree of physical disability at the time of diagnosis. The concentration of cases in Ciudad del Este (41.2%) suggests an urbanization of the disease. These findings highlight the urgency of strengthening active case detection, contact tracing, and early diagnosis strategies to interrupt transmission and prevent disabilities in this endemic region.