LEPROSY AND AGEING: CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN A HEALTH SUB-REGION OF BAHIA-BRAZIL

Abstract

Leprosy affects the skin and peripheral nerves, may affect other systems. Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis cause slow-progressing, chronic nerve damage, which can severely impair the affected person’s functioning, leading to impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions. As part of the natural aging process, changes in the nervous system affect a person’s functioning and health. When a condition such as leprosy is added to this process, impairments may potentially develop or their progression may be exacerbated. This ecological, cross-sectional study describes the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of new leprosy cases (NCs) in the Jequié Health Micro-region, Bahia, Brazil, based on data from the Brazilian Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). NCs were compared across two age groups: (A) up to 59 years and (B) over 60 years. Between 2010 and 2023, 474 NCs were reported, of which 142 (30.17%) involved the elderly people. The municipalities of Jequié, Ipiaú and Iramaia accounted for 66.87% of the cases. Among elderly people, there was a predominance of men and black or mixed race/brown people. Compared to group A, older adults had a higher incidence of multibacillary forms, lesions affecting two or more nerves, a higher proportion of physical disabilities at diagnosis, and a higher percentage of successful completion of multidrug therapy.