Journal of

Background and Aim: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that typically affects the skin and peripheral nerves and can cause irreversible disabilities. The objective of this study was to assess the status of disability caused by leprosy in the Golestan Province in Iran.

Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, patients affected with leprosy whom were referred to Health Network in Golestan Province from April 1971 to September 2008 were studied. Sampling method was simple census method. Data collected from the medical records of patients were statistically described and analyzed.

Results: In this 38-year period, from 100 leprosy patients investigated, 68% were men. Average age was 35.6±16.4 years. The majority of cases were in rural areas (78%) and mostly were labor jobs (39%). Clinical type of the disease was multibacillary (MB) in 64% cases. 62% of patients had MDT treatment. The majority of lesions in patients were macules (15%). Performance problem were positive in 6 percent and was negative or uncertain in others. Disability was more common in male patients, and most disable patients were 35-55 years old.

Conlusion: Most leprosy patients in Golestan Province had grade 0 or 1 disability.