Leprosy Rev
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A prospective case control study was conducted to calculate normal dimensions of ulnar nerve and study the size, echotexture and morphologic alterations in ulnar nerve in patients with leprosy. ⋯ We conclude that by detecting enlargement and/or morphologic alterations of ulnar nerve, sonography can objectively determine involvement of ulnar neuropathy in leprosy.
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Leprosy is widely known because of progressive damage to the peripheral nerves. In spite of multidrug therapy, some patients develop chronic neuropathic pain after bacteriological cure. Chronic pain is associated with psychological distress and is also an important predictor of poor quality of life. ⋯ The lowest mean scores according to domain were physical (9.9; SD = 3.3), followed by environment (11.9; SD = 3.0), psychological (13.5; SD = 2.6) and social relations (14.0; SD = 3.7). In conclusion, our study identified the presence of psychological distress in most of the participants. Patients with chronic neuropathic pain who were also found to have high psychological distress levels had higher pain intensity and a poorer quality of life.
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To Study the incidence and clinical characteristics of dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS) among MDT-treated leprosy patients from 2006 to 2009 in China. ⋯ DHS is a serious adverse event resulted from dapsone. It can occur in a small number of new leprosy patients treated with dapsone containing regimen. Some patients may die of DHS if not taking timely and adequate management. Therefore local doctors should pay an attention to DHS among leprosy patients newly treated with the dapsone-containing MDT regimen.
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Editorial Historical Article
The chemotherapy of leprosy: an interpretive history.