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. 2022 May 5;13(3):370-374.
doi: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_768_21. eCollection 2022 May-Jun.

Impact of Lockdown Restrictions on Treatment of Leprosy: A Retrospective Analysis

Swapna Dominic  1 , Sarita Sasidharanpillai  1 , Reshmi Gangan  2 , Ulpurath Minu  1 , Kurisinkal S Sneha  1 , Jaseena Hameed  1 , Keerankulangara Devi  1
Affiliations

Impact of Lockdown Restrictions on Treatment of Leprosy: A Retrospective Analysis

Swapna Dominic et al. Indian Dermatol Online J. .

Abstract

Context: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has shown the potential to affect the life of people all over the world either directly or indirectly.

Aim: To assess the impact of lockdown measures on treatment of leprosy among patients who received treatment from a tertiary referral centre.

Settings and design: A retrospective study was conducted at the dermatology department of a tertiary referral centre.

Materials and methods: We did a retrospective analysis of case records of patients with leprosy who received treatment from our tertiary referral centre from 01 March 2020 to 31 May 2021.

Results: During the 15-month period, 59 patients received multi-drug therapy (MDT) for leprosy from our centre. Thirty-two patients (54.2%) were already receiving MDT as on March 2020, and 27 others (45.8%) were diagnosed with leprosy and started on MDT during the period from March 2020 to May 2021. Two patients (3.4%) developed COVID-19 while on MDT. When lockdown measures were implemented, 12 patients (12/59, 20.3%) discontinued treatment, citing conveyance difficulties. Three patients (3/59, 5.1%) were lost to follow-up.

Limitations: Small sample size and reliance on retrospective data from a single centre were the major limitations of the study.

Conclusion: A conscious effort is needed from healthcare professionals and the government to ensure that implementation of national programmes is not adversely affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease-2019; Kerala; leprosy; lockdown measures; regular treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

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