A clinico-epidemiological profile of Hansen’s disease in a tertiary care center – insights from the post-elimination era

Farha Anjum; Harika Akubathini; Pakalapaty Sunitha; Chaitanya Kumar Bukhya; Swapna Siddamalla; Prashanthi Laddagiri; Sushma Rajyalakshmi; V. V. Shailaja

doi:10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20263720

Authors

Farha Anjum Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College, Siddipet, Telangana, India https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3905-2002
Harika Akubathini Department of Dermatology, Government Medical College, Siddipet, Telangana, India https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7438-0066
Pakalapaty Sunitha Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College, Siddipet, Telangana, India https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9098-9855
Chaitanya Kumar Bukhya Multidisciplinary Research unit, Government Medical College, Siddipet, Telangana, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1663-9098
Swapna Siddamalla Multidisciplinary Research unit, Government Medical College, Siddipet, Telangana, India https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7454-1338
Prashanthi Laddagiri Department of Microbiology, Government Medical college, Sirisilla, Telangana, India https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5156-3222
Sushma Rajyalakshmi Department of Microbiology, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana, India https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0198-0303
V. V. Shailaja Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College, Siddipet, Telangana, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3742-0645

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20263720

Keywords:

Hansen’s disease, Leprosy, Epidemiology, Slit skin smear, COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Although leprosy was officially eliminated as a public health problem in India in 2005, several districts and blocks continue to report new cases, indicating ongoing transmission. This study aimed to assess the current clinical and epidemiological profile of leprosy patients attending a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted among patients diagnosed with Hansen’s disease at a tertiary care hospital, between August 2020 to August 2025. Diagnosis was based on WHO criteria and classified according to the Ridley-Jopling system. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, treatment, complications, deformities, and yearly trends were analysed.

Results: A total of 117 patients were registered during the study period, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 2:1. Children (≤14 years) constituted less than 2% of cases. Multibacillary (MB) leprosy was the predominant clinical type (58.94%). Borderline-borderline leprosy was the most common morphological subtype (43.58%), followed by borderline tuberculoid (BT) (25.33%), tuberculoid (TT) (10.25%), lepromatous (LL) (5.98%), borderline lepromatous (BL) (3.41%), pure neurotic (1.70%), and histoid and indeterminate leprosy (0.85% each). Lepra reactions were observed in 11.11% of patients. World health organization (WHO) Grade II deformity was present in 0.66%, with claw hand being the most common deformity.

Conclusions: The study highlights the persistence of leprosy transmission despite low overall prevalence. The predominance of MB and borderline forms suggests ongoing community transmission. Strengthening early case detection, health education, treatment adherence, and disability prevention measures remain essential for effective disease control.

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