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Public Library of Science, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 7(9), p. e0003900, 2015

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003900

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Functional Activity Limitation and Quality of Life of Leprosy Cases in an Endemic Area in Northeastern Brazil

Journal article published in 2015 by Victor S. Santos, Laudice S. Oliveira, Ligia M. D. Lemos, Maria do C. O. Ribeiro, Ricardo Q. Gurgel, Fabrícia D. N. Castro, Vanessa T. Gois-Santos ORCID, Luis E. Cuevas ORCID
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Leprosy is still a neglected public health problem. Leprosy causes disability and functional limitations (FALs) if not treated early. We describe the functional activity and quality of life (QoL) of adults with leprosy attending two reference centres in Sergipe, Brazil. Patients with leprosy had low QoL, which was associated to the degree of FALs. Despite increased access to diagnosis and modern multidrug leprosy therapy, leprosy is still strongly associated with FALs and low QoL. We stress here the importance of public health efforts to diagnose the disease early and to provide supportive systems for patients receiving treatment in endemic areas.