Prevalence of leprosy, degree II of physical incapacity and proportion of multibacillary cases: A paradox that evidences late diagnosis and hidden prevalence?

Authors

  • Carlos Dornels Freire de Souza Universidade Federal de Alagoas (UFAL)- Campus Arapiraca. Programa de pós-graduação em Saúde Pública- Fiocruz Pernambuco. http://lattes.cnpq.br/9011591840925077 http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0837-8254
  • Franklin Gerônimo Bispo Santos Professor Adjunto IV do curso de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Alagoas- campus Arapiraca. CV: http://lattes.cnpq.br/3959802511396638 http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7007-4644

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17058/reci.v9i1.11765

Abstract

In recent decades the number of leprosy cases has significantly decreased worldwide. Nevertheless, this reduction has been questioned by many researchers, who believe there are much more patients. This work aimed to analyze the temporal evolution of three epidemiological indicators prevalence ratio, physical disability grade II ratio and proportion of multibacillary cases) in order to find evidence of late diagnosis and hidden prevalence of leprosy in the state of Bahia. The regression model by joinpoint was used to evaluate the trend of the indicators in the period from 2001 to 2015. A statistically significant trend of reduction in prevalence was observed (AAPC -5,5%; p<0,001) followed by an increse in grade II ratio (AAPC 2,7%; p<0,001) and the proportion of multibacillary cases (AAPC 2,2%; p<0,001). This paradox suggests the existence of late diagnosis and hidden prevalence in the state.

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Author Biographies

Carlos Dornels Freire de Souza, Universidade Federal de Alagoas (UFAL)- Campus Arapiraca. Programa de pós-graduação em Saúde Pública- Fiocruz Pernambuco. http://lattes.cnpq.br/9011591840925077

Fisioterapeuta Sanitarista/Epidemiologista Mestre em Planejamento Territorial- Geoprocessamento aplicado ao planejamento Doutorando em Saúde Pública- Fiocruz. Professor do curso de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Alagoas - campus Arapiraca

Franklin Gerônimo Bispo Santos, Professor Adjunto IV do curso de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Alagoas- campus Arapiraca. CV: http://lattes.cnpq.br/3959802511396638

Possui graduação em Medicina Veterinária pela Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (2003), aperfeiçoamento em Microbiologia Clínica e Molecular pela FIOCRUZ (2004) e doutorado em Microbiologia pelo Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas da Universidade de São Paulo (2009). Atualmente é Professor Adjunto IV do Curso de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Alagoas. Tem experiência nas áreas de Microbiologia e Epidemiologia, atuando principalmente na área de diagnóstico e epidemiologia de doenças infecciosas.

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Published

2019-01-03

How to Cite

Souza, C. D. F. de, & Santos, F. G. B. (2019). Prevalence of leprosy, degree II of physical incapacity and proportion of multibacillary cases: A paradox that evidences late diagnosis and hidden prevalence?. Revista De Epidemiologia E Controle De Infecção, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.17058/reci.v9i1.11765

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2019)

Section

BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS

License

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