Frequency of Disabilities in Newly Diagnosed Patients of Leprosy Presenting to Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar

Background: Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy leads to a variety of disabilities resulting from nerve damage, immunological reactions, and bacillary infiltration. Objective: The objective of this study was to look for frequency of disabilities seen in newly diagnosed patients of leprosy. Study Design: Cross sectional study Methodology: This was a cross sectional study carried out in leprosy unit, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from Ist January 2009 to 31st December 2009. Patients were assessed on the basis of the WHO protocol about grading of disabilities in leprosy. Results: Total of thirty seven patients were included in this study who were newly diagnosed cases. Out of 37 patients, 8 were female and 29 were male. Multi-bacillary type was detected in 36 patients while pauci-bacillary type in only one patient. Variable degrees of disabilities were found in 31 patients. Frequency of disabilities was greater in male patients and those suffering from pauci bacillary disease. Conclusion Frequency of disabilities was greater in male patients and those suffering from multibacillary disease.