Limitações na locomoção de indivíduos com hanseníase e sua influência na participação social

Abstract

Introduction: Leprosy is a chronic infectious contagious disease with great disabling potential and it is considered a major public health problem in developing countries. The affected individual can present histological, clinical manifestations and repercussions in gait affecting quality of life and social participation. Objective: To identify the functional incapacities that influence the distance traveled on locomotion and to determine the influence of locomotion limitations on social participation. Methods: Cross-sectional, analytical, observational study of individuals with leprosy at the Aracaju Medical Specialty Center (CEMAR) and University Hospital of Sergipe (HU). The Six-Minute Walk Test (TC6') and the social participation scale were used as the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were simplified neurological assessment, degree of disability, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FAB), all instruments based on CIF. Results: 23 volunteers with leprosy participated in the study. It was found through stepwise multiple linear regression that FAB exerts a significant influence on the distance walked on the 6MWT with coefficient r of 0.574 and significance p = 0.002 or p <0.01. In the correlation of the 6MWT with social participation, it was seen that the limitation of locomotion did not influence the social participation of individuals with leprosy. Conclusion: The factor that directly influences the locomotion of individuals with leprosy is balance and distance walked on the 6MWT does not influence social participation.