Trend and Clinico-Epidemiological Pattern of Leprosy Cases in a Tertiary Care Center of North Kerala
Jishna Pulpadathil1 
, Fathimathusalma Othayoth *2 , Swapna Dominic1 , Sarita Sasidharanpillai1 , Reena Mariyath OlasseriKalathingal3
, Fathimathusalma Othayoth *2 , Swapna Dominic1 , Sarita Sasidharanpillai1 , Reena Mariyath OlasseriKalathingal3
1- Government Medical College Kozhikode
2- Government Medical College Kozhikode ,fathimathusalmao@gmail.com
3- Government Medical College Wayanad
2- Government Medical College Kozhikode ,
3- Government Medical College Wayanad
Abstract: (38 Views)
Background: Leprosy produces different manifestations based on the body’s immune reaction to the Mycobacterium Leprae bacilli The disease continues to be an important public health problem even after India declared Leprosy eliminated in 2005, with around 60% cases being reported from India globally. The objective of this study was to study the trend and clinico-epidemiological pattern of leprosy cases attending the tertiary care center of North Kerala, India.
Methods: A record-based cross-sectional study was carried out at the tertiary care referral centre of Kozhikode district for a period of 6 months from January 2021 to June 2021. Data were collected during the previous 5 years, from January 2014 to December 2018, which included 328 confirmed Leprosy cases.
Results: The study included 328 confirmed leprosy cases, of whom 230 (70.1%) were males and 98 (22.9%) were females. The cases showed an upward trend, followed by a gradual decline. The age distribution indicated a shift toward older age groups during the period from 2014 to 2018. 14% of cases were migrants. Despite symptoms, there was delay in seeking medical care in 30.2% cases. Multibacillary cases were the predominant type of leprosy. Moreover, male gender, older age group and migrants showed significant association with multibacillary leprosy.
Conclusion: The initial study period showed an upward trend in leprosy cases followed by a gradual decline. The study revealed predominance of multibacillary leprosy, especially among males, older age groups, and migrant populations, indicating the importance of targeted screening, early diagnosis, and treatment for high-risk populations to stop transmission and improve leprosy control.
Methods: A record-based cross-sectional study was carried out at the tertiary care referral centre of Kozhikode district for a period of 6 months from January 2021 to June 2021. Data were collected during the previous 5 years, from January 2014 to December 2018, which included 328 confirmed Leprosy cases.
Results: The study included 328 confirmed leprosy cases, of whom 230 (70.1%) were males and 98 (22.9%) were females. The cases showed an upward trend, followed by a gradual decline. The age distribution indicated a shift toward older age groups during the period from 2014 to 2018. 14% of cases were migrants. Despite symptoms, there was delay in seeking medical care in 30.2% cases. Multibacillary cases were the predominant type of leprosy. Moreover, male gender, older age group and migrants showed significant association with multibacillary leprosy.
Conclusion: The initial study period showed an upward trend in leprosy cases followed by a gradual decline. The study revealed predominance of multibacillary leprosy, especially among males, older age groups, and migrant populations, indicating the importance of targeted screening, early diagnosis, and treatment for high-risk populations to stop transmission and improve leprosy control.
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