EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF LEPROSY CASES IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL, BETWEEN 2020 AND 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affecting the skin and peripheral nerves. Despite free treatment provided by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), it still represents a significant public health problem in Brazil, especially in the Northeast, which maintains high detection rates and inequality in diagnosis. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of leprosy cases reported between 2020 and 2024 in the Northeast region of Brazil. Methods: An observational, analytical, ecological, quantitative, and cross-sectional epidemiological study using secondary data from SINAN (National System of Notifiable Diseases), analyzing variables such as location, sex, age group, and clinical form. Results: In the Northeast, the state of Maranhão concentrated 25.4% of the records. Adults of working age (20-59 years) constituted 62% of the notifications. Men represented 58.4% of the cases. The dimorphic clinical form was the most frequent (42.9%). Conclusion: The findings of this study enhance the understanding of the epidemiological dynamics of leprosy in the Northeast, providing support for strengthening intervention and health surveillance policies and guiding future investigations into the maintenance of the endemic disease in the region.