COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CURE, PROGRESS AND MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH LEPROSY

INFLUENCE OF PREGNANCY

Abstract

Introduction: Leprosy is caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae and occurs mainly through the upper airways. Symptoms include paresthesia, pain and numbness in the skin, with varying classifications of the disease, in addition to psychosocial impacts. Objectives: To elucidate the differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women with leprosy in terms of adherence to treatment, cure and mortality. Methods: The study is of a cross-sectional epidemiological type and uses secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) available at the Information Technology Department of the Unified Health System (Datasus), with filtering by specific variables related to leprosy and pregnancy, from January 2013 to December 2023. Results: Regarding the death rate, the frequency was similar between both groups analyzed. Among pregnant women, 84.26% represent the average cure rate, 1.28% the death rate and 14.49% interruption in the continuity of therapy, therefore, being pregnant was linked to a lower death rate and negatively associated the outcome of cure and adherence to treatment. Conclusion: Leprosy is a challenge during pregnancy due to a greater tendency to abandon treatment compared to non-pregnant women. The complexity of drug therapy and concerns about fetal safety contribute to these disparities.