Factors associated with physical disabilities of leprosy: a cross-sectional study

Leprosy is an infectious disease that can cause physical disability, classified according to degrees ranging from 0 to II. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors related to the degree of physical disability (DPD) of leprosy cases. This was an epidemiological, cross-sectional, and retrospective study, with leprosy notification data with DPD from Rondonópolis (MT) (2009 to 2018). Descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-squared test for associations were used (significance level 5%). Research was approved by the Ethics Committee (Opinion: 3.036.673). There were 1633 leprosy notifications, with a predominance of Zero DPD (60.32%). The predominant sociodemographic characteristics were: males (58%), brown race (55.66%), age group 20 to 59 years old (72.81%), elementary education (50.83%), and from an urban area (90.39%). Epidemiological characteristics that predominated were: dimorphic clinical form (70.3%), multibacillary operational classification (84.81%), multibacillary polychemotherapy therapeutic approach of 12 doses (83.77%), spontaneous demand mode of detection (39.13%), and type of discharge due to cure (79.98%). The zero degree of physical disability represented 60.32% of the cases and of these, 53.97% had cutaneous lesions and 32.72% had affected nerves. With the exception of the variables number of skin lesions and affected nerves, the others showed statistical significance. We conclude that it is necessary that the active search for leprosy cases and notification are efficient, with a view to early diagnosis and adequate treatment, avoiding the occurrence of physical disabilities.