Evolution of nasal lesions in leprosy patients

Abstract

Leprosy, an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affects skin and peripheral nerves, especially in eyes, nose, hands and feet. Its highest morbidity is associated with reactional episodes and neural involvement which cause physical deformities, compromising the quality of life of the patients. This study aimed to describe the alterations in nose and to evaluate the evolution of the nasal injuries appearing during leprosy treatment with multidrug therapy. It was based on evaluations done by professional from the service of prevention of incapacities and rehabilitation. The results demonstrated that nasal injury is frequent (69.8%). The most common lesion finding is the dryness (38.2%), followed by crusts (23.6%) and nasal clogging (8%). The follow-up and orientation of patients in respect to care of the nose to prevent appearance of lesions and to promote healing resulted in improvement in 47.2% of the cases, maintenance of lesions in 39,5%, absence in 6,3% and worsening in 7% of the cases. The nose should be selected amongst the sites for evaluation and routine care during assistance in prevention of incapacities of leprosy patients.