Características clínicas e sociodemográficas da hanseníase em idosos diagnosticados por laudos anatomopatológicos, no Estado de Sergipe, entre 2007 a 2016

Abstract

Introduction: Leprosy is an infectious, granulomatous and chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium Leprae bacillus. It is a neglected and notifiable tropical disease. The diagnosis is clinical-epidemiological-laboratory and the treatment consists of the association of antibiotics, multidrug therapy, free in Brazil. The elderly population is susceptible to infection due to the period of senescence and senility. Objective: To analyze the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of leprosy cases in the elderly population through anatomopathological reports in the State of Sergipe, Brazil, between 2007 and 2016. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out through the analysis of reports collected in the pathology unit of the University Hospital of UFS and in three private laboratories in the State of Sergipe. The variables collected were sex, age, clinical form, bacilloscopy and operational classification. In the statistical analysis, Fisher's exact test and the chi-square calculation were used to obtain the exact value of p. Results: A total of 244 positive reports were collected, with 54.91% and 51.22% of cases in the elderly aged between 60 and 69 years and in females, respectively. The mean age in the population was 70.7 years. As for the operational classification, the paucibacillary form predominated with 80.32% of the cases. The most prevalent clinical forms were HT (50.81%) and HI (22.54%), followed by HD (15.16%) and HV (11.47%), as for smear microscopy, 197 (81.74 %), showed a negative result. In the analysis of polar forms, stratified between sexes, elderly men were 4.15 times more likely to develop the most severe form of leprosy. Conclusion: The paucibacillary form of leprosy was prevalent in the analysis of the anatomopathological reports of the elderly population of Sergipe. Elderly men were more likely to develop more severe forms of the disease. Public health actions for the active search and prevention of the disease are necessary for the control and reduction of cases. Therefore, the identification and accurate diagnosis of leprosy is a key step to reduce the risks and infection by the bacillus, so the training and qualification of health teams, through permanent education, is essential for the control of cases and reach of the objectives foreseen by public policies.