1
|
Yang J, Kong J, Li B, Ji Z, Liu A, Chen J, Liu M, Fan Y, Peng L, Song J, Wu X, Gao L, Ma W, Dong Y, Luo S, Bao F. Seventy years of evidence on the efficacy and safety of drugs for treating leprosy: a network meta-analysis. J Infect 2023; 86:338-351. [PMID: 36796681 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends multidrug therapy (MDT) with rifampicin, dapsone, and clofazimine for treating leprosy, which is based on very low-quality evidence. Here, we performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) to produce quantitative evidence to strengthen current WHO recommendations. METHOD All studies were obtained from Embase and PubMed from the date of establishment to October 9, 2021. Data were synthesized with frequentist random-effects network meta-analyses. Outcomes were assessed using odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and P score. RESULTS Sixty controlled clinical trials and 9256 patients were included. MDT was effective (range of OR: 1.06-1255584.25) for treating leprosy and multibacillary leprosy. Six treatments (Range of OR: 1.199-4.50) were more effective than MDT. Clofazimine (P score=0.9141) and dapsone+rifampicin (P score=0.8785) were effective for treating type 2 leprosy reaction. There were no significant differences in the safety of any of the tested drug regimens. CONCLUSIONS The WHO MDT is effective for treating leprosy and multibacillary leprosy, but it may not be effective enough. Pefloxacin and ofloxacin may be good adjunct drugs for increasing MDT efficacy. Clofazimine and dapsone+rifampicin can be used in the treatment of a type 2 leprosy reaction. Single-drug regimens are not efficient enough to treat leprosy, multibacillary leprosy, or a type 2 leprosy reaction. AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article [and its supplementary information files].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaru Yang
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Jing Kong
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Bingxue Li
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhenhua Ji
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China; The Institute of Oncology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650100, Yunnan, China
| | - Aihua Liu
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China; Yunnan Province Key Laboratory of Children's Major Diseases Research, The Affiliated Children Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650030, Yunnan, China.
| | - Jingjing Chen
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Meixiao Liu
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Yuxin Fan
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Li Peng
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Jieqin Song
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Xinya Wu
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Li Gao
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Weijiang Ma
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Yan Dong
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Suyi Luo
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Fukai Bao
- Evidence-Based Medicine Team, The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China; Yunnan Province Key Laboratory of Children's Major Diseases Research, The Affiliated Children Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650030, Yunnan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sahani MK, Asati DP, Kaur M, Patra S. Can etanercept be an option in management of recurrent steroid-dependent erythema nodosum leprosum? A retrospective study of six patients. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2021; 88:243-246. [PMID: 34877848 DOI: 10.25259/ijdvl_726_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh K Sahani
- Department of Dermatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Dinesh P Asati
- Department of Dermatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Maninder Kaur
- Department of Dermatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Suman Patra
- Department of Dermatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
Neuropathy and related disabilities are the major medical consequences of leprosy, which remains a global medical concern. Despite major advances in understanding the mechanisms of M. leprae entry into peripheral nerves, most aspects of the pathogenesis of leprosy neuropathy remain poorly understood. Sensory loss is characteristic of leprosy, but neuropathic pain is sometimes observed. Effective anti-microbial therapy is available, but neuropathy remains a problem especially if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Currently there is intense interest in post-exposure prophylaxis with single-dose rifampin in endemic areas, as well as with enhanced prophylactic regimens in some situations. Some degree of nerve involvement is seen in all cases and neuritis may occur in the absence of leprosy reactions, but acute neuritis commonly accompanies both Type 1 and Type 2 leprosy reactions and may be difficult to manage. A variety of established as well as new methods for the early diagnosis and assessment of leprosy neuropathy are reviewed. Corticosteroids offer the primary treatment for neuritis and for subclinical neuropathy in leprosy, but success is limited if nerve function impairment is present at the time of diagnosis. A candidate vaccine has shown apparent benefit in preventing nerve injury in the armadillo model. The development of new therapeutics for leprosy neuropathy is greatly needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gigi J Ebenezer
- Neurology/Cutaneous Nerve Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, The John G Rangos Bldg, room: 440, 855 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hanumanthu V, Thakur V, Narang T, Dogra S. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of minocycline and clofazimine in chronic and recurrent erythema nodosum leprosum-A randomized clinical trial. Dermatol Ther 2021; 34:e15125. [PMID: 34490707 DOI: 10.1111/dth.15125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Management of chronic/recurrent erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is challenging. The majority of these patients become steroid-dependent and suffer from the adverse effects of long-term corticosteroid use. Minocycline has shown promising results in a small series of chronic/recurrent ENL patients. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of minocycline and clofazimine in patients with chronic/recurrent ENL. In this prospective randomized clinical trial, 60 participants with chronic/recurrent ENL were randomized (1:1) to receive either minocycline 100 mg once daily or clofazimine 100 mg thrice daily for 12 weeks along with prednisolone according to WHO protocol and followed up for 6 months. The outcome measures were mean time for initial control of ENL, proportion of patients having a recurrence of ENL, mean time for recurrence after initial control, additional prednisolone requirement, and frequency of adverse events. Initial control of ENL was achieved earlier in the minocycline group as compared to the clofazimine group (2.97 ± 1.9 weeks vs. 4 ± 1.96 weeks, respectively; p-0.048). The number of participants having ENL flares/recurrences during the study period was comparable in both groups (71.4% in clofazimine vs. 55.2% in minocycline group; p-0.2). The participants in the minocycline group remained in remission for a longer duration after initial control of ENL as compared to the clofazimine group (p-0.001). Mean additional prednisolone dose required for control of ENL flares/recurrences was also comparable in both groups (p-0.09). The minocycline group had fewer side effects than the clofazimine group (p-0.047). Minocycline led to a rapid and sustained improvement of ENL episodes with fewer adverse events showing a superior efficacy to clofazimine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vinod Hanumanthu
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Vishal Thakur
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Tarun Narang
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sunil Dogra
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
de Barros B, Lambert SM, Negera E, de Arquer GR, Sales AM, Darlong J, Dias VLA, Rozario BJ, Pai VV, Alinda MD, Listiawan MY, Hagge DA, Shah M, Lockwood DNJ, Walker SL. An assessment of the reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on leprosy services using an online survey of practitioners in leprosy referral centres. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 115:1456-1461. [PMID: 34077950 PMCID: PMC8195135 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trab084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to governments implementing a variety of public health measures to control transmission and has affected health services. Leprosy is a communicable neglected tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and is an important health problem in low- and middle-income countries. The natural history of leprosy means that affected individuals need long-term follow-up. The measures recommended to reduce transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can create barriers to health services. We evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic response on leprosy services and disease management. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with healthcare professionals in leprosy referral centres. Results Eighty percent of leprosy diagnostic services were reduced. All respondents reported that multidrug therapy (MDT) was available but two reported a reduced stock. Clinicians used alternative strategies such as telephone consultations to maintain contact with patients. However, patients were not able to travel to the referral centres. Discussion This study highlights the effects of the initial phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on leprosy services in a range of leprosy-endemic countries. Many services remained open, providing leprosy diagnosis, MDT and leprosy reaction medications. Centres developed innovative measures to counter the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara de Barros
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Saba M Lambert
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Department of Dermatology, ALERT Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Edessa Negera
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Anna M Sales
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Vivianne L A Dias
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Medhi Denisa Alinda
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Dr Soetomo Teaching Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - M Yulianto Listiawan
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Dr Soetomo Teaching Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Deanna A Hagge
- Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Mahesh Shah
- Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Diana N J Lockwood
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Stephen L Walker
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nanjan Chandran SL, Tiwari A, Lustosa AA, Demir B, Bowers B, Albuquerque RGR, Prado RBR, Lambert S, Watanabe H, Haagsma J, Richardus JH. Revised estimates of leprosy disability weights for assessing the global burden of disease: A systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009209. [PMID: 33651814 PMCID: PMC7954345 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leprosy is a chronic bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which may lead to physical disability, stigma, and discrimination. The chronicity of the disease and disabilities are the prime contributors to the disease burden of leprosy. The current figures of the disease burden in the 2017 global burden of disease study, however, are considered to be under-estimated. In this study, we aimed to systematically review the literature and perform individual patient data meta-analysis to estimate new disability weights for leprosy, using Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) data. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The search strategy included all major databases with no restriction on language, setting, study design, or year of publication. Studies on human populations that have been affected by leprosy and recorded the HRQOL with the Short form tool, were included. A consortium was formed with authors who could share the anonymous individual-level data of their study. Mean disability weight estimates, sorted by the grade of leprosy disability as defined by WHO, were estimated for individual participant data and pooled using multivariate random-effects meta-analysis. Eight out of 14 studies from the review were included in the meta-analysis due to the availability of individual-level data (667 individuals). The overall estimated disability weight for grade 2 disability was 0.26 (95%CI: 0.18-0.34). For grade 1 disability the estimated weight was 0.19 (95%CI: 0.13-0.26) and for grade 0 disability it was 0.13 (95%CI: 0.06-0.19). The revised disability weight for grade 2 leprosy disability is four times higher than the published GBD 2017 weights for leprosy and the grade 1 disability weight is nearly twenty times higher. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The global burden of leprosy is grossly underestimated. Revision of the current disability weights and inclusion of disability caused in individuals with grade 0 leprosy disability will contribute towards a more precise estimation of the global burden of leprosy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shri Lak Nanjan Chandran
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anuj Tiwari
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Betul Demir
- Department of Dermatology, Firat University Hospital, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Bob Bowers
- The Leprosy Mission International- Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Saba Lambert
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Juanita Haagsma
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Hendrik Richardus
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Khadilkar SV, Patil SB, Shetty VP. Neuropathies of leprosy. J Neurol Sci 2020; 420:117288. [PMID: 33360424 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.117288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Neuropathies form an integral part of the symptomatology of leprosy. Neuropathies of leprosy take various forms and shapes. At one end is the cutaneous nerve involvement adjacent to the anaesthetic skin patch and the other is of symmetrical pansensory neuropathy and the devastating sensory ataxia of leprous ganglionits. Lepra reactions add to the spectrum. Hosts immunological status largely decides the clinical manifestations seen in nerves and skin. A wide array of diagnostic techniques like ultrasonography, magnetic resonance neurography, serological markers, molecular tests, skin biopsy and in selected cases, the nerve biopsy with special stains and electron microscopy are obtainable to help the clinical diagnosis. The unsuspecting clinician, lack of community awareness and limited availability of diagnostic tests are important adverse factors in the total outcome. Multi drug therapy is efficacious and corticosteroids reduce the impact of nerve damage in leprosy. The efficacy, dose and duration of corticosteroid therapy are presently inexact and other immune suppressants like azathioprine are being evaluated. Chronic disabilities and residual deficits require attention of multiple specialties. In the coming time, focus on prevention could lead to favourable results. This review will discuss the classification systems, common and uncommon clinical features, diagnostic armamentarium and therapeutic and preventive aspects of neuropathies of leprosy.
Collapse
|
8
|
de Barros B, Lambert SM, Shah M, Pai VV, Darlong J, Rozario BJ, Alinda MD, Sales AM, Doni S, Hagge DA, Shrestha D, Listiawan MY, Yitaye AM, Nery JAC, Neupane KD, Dias VLA, Butlin CR, Nicholls PG, Lockwood D, Walker SL. Methotrexate and prednisolone study in erythema nodosum leprosum (MaPs in ENL) protocol: a double-blind randomised clinical trial. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e037700. [PMID: 33203627 PMCID: PMC7674097 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is an immunological complication of leprosy. ENL results in morbidity and disability and if it is not treated can lead to death. The current treatment consists of thalidomide or high doses of oral corticosteroids for prolonged periods. Thalidomide is not available in many leprosy endemic countries. The use of corticosteroids is associated with morbidity and mortality. Identifying treatment regimens that reduce the use of corticosteroids in ENL is essential. Methotrexate (MTX) is used to treat many inflammatory diseases and has been used successfully to treat patients with ENL not controlled by other drugs, including prednisolone and thalidomide. We present the protocol of the 'MTX and prednisolone study in ENL' (MaPs in ENL) a randomised controlled trial (RCT) designed to test the efficacy of MTX in the management of ENL. METHODS AND ANALYSIS MaPs in ENL is an international multicentre RCT, which will be conducted in leprosy referral centres in Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia and Nepal. Patients diagnosed with ENL who consent to participate will be randomly allocated to receive 48 weeks of weekly oral MTX plus 20 weeks of prednisolone or 48 weeks of placebo plus 20 weeks of prednisolone. Participants will be stratified by type of ENL into those with acute ENL and those with chronic and recurrent ENL. The primary objective is to determine whether MTX reduces the requirement for additional prednisolone. Patients' reported outcome measures will be used to assess the efficacy of MTX. Participants will be closely monitored for adverse events. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Ethical approval was obtained from the Observational/Interventions Research Ethics Committee of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (15762); The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh Institutional Research Board (in process); AHRI-ALERT Ethical Review Committee, Ethiopia; Ethics Committee of the Managing Committee of the Bombay Leprosy Project; and The Leprosy Mission Trust India Ethics Committee; the Nepal Health and Research Council and Health Research Ethics Committee Dr. Soetomo, Indonesia. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov. This is the first RCT of MTX for ENL and will contribute to the evidence for the management of ENL.Trial registration numberNCT 03775460.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara de Barros
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Saba M Lambert
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Clinical Research Department, ALERT Center, Addis Ababa, London, Ethiopia
| | - Mahesh Shah
- Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | | | - Medhi Denisa Alinda
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Dr Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
| | - Anna M Sales
- Leprosy Laboratory, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Shimelis Doni
- Clinical Research Department, ALERT Center, Addis Ababa, London, Ethiopia
| | - Deanna A Hagge
- Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Dilip Shrestha
- Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - M Yulianto Listiawan
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Dr Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
| | - Abeba M Yitaye
- Clinical Research Department, ALERT Center, Addis Ababa, London, Ethiopia
| | - Jose A C Nery
- Leprosy Laboratory, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Kapil D Neupane
- Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Vivianne L A Dias
- Leprosy Laboratory, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - C Ruth Butlin
- DBLM Hospital, The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh, Nilphamari, Bangladesh
| | - Peter G Nicholls
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Diana Lockwood
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Stephen L Walker
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lockwood DNJ. Chronic aspects of leprosy-neglected but important. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2020; 113:813-817. [PMID: 30715525 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/try131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The chronic aspects of leprosy are discussed here. They are a consequence of the peripheral nerve damage that affects many patients during their lifetime with leprosy. The peripheral nerve damage leaves people unable to feel and with weakness in their hands and feet. They are at risk of damaging their hands and feet, causing the disabilities and deformities that characterise late leprosy. More than 200 000 new leprosy patients are diagnosed globally each year. Better data are needed from cohort studies to estimate the number of patients developing nerve damage and modelling studies are needed to estimate the number of patients who develop disabilities. For some of them, this will be a lifelong disability. Nerve damage is caused by inflammation in leprosy-affected nerves. Patients with nerve damage of <6-mo duration need treatment with steroids. About 66% of multibacillary patients will develop nerve damage. Plastic graded monofilaments can be used to detect nerve damage in leprosy and diabetic clinics. Assessing nerve damage and treating patients with steroids in leprosy programmes needs to be strengthened. The World Health Organization has a successful programme for supplying antibiotics for treating leprosy infection to national leprosy programmes. They should take responsibility for providing steroids to national programmes since this is a core part of the treatment for >66% of multibacillary patients. Patients need to be asked about neuropathic pain symptoms and treated if necessary. Treated leprosy patients are at risk of developing ulcers in their feet. Treatment and prevention needs to be improved through health education, providing protective footwear and patient empowerment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana N J Lockwood
- Professor of Tropical Medicine, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Costa PDSS, Fraga LR, Kowalski TW, Daxbacher ELR, Schuler-Faccini L, Vianna FSL. Erythema Nodosum Leprosum: Update and challenges on the treatment of a neglected condition. Acta Trop 2018; 183:134-141. [PMID: 29474830 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL) occurs due to the immunological complication of multibacillary leprosy and is characterized by painful nodules and systemic compromising. It is usually recurrent and/or chronic and has both physical and economic impact on the patient, being a very important cause of disability. In addition, ENL is a major health problem in countries where leprosy is endemic. Therefore, adequate control of this condition is important. The management of ENL aims to control acute inflammation and neuritis and prevent the onset of new episodes. However, all currently available treatment modalities have one or two drawbacks and are not effective for all patients. Corticosteroid is the anti-inflammatory of choice in ENL but may cause dependence, especially for chronic patients. Thalidomide has a rapid action but its use is limited due the teratogenicity and neurotoxicity. Clofazimine and pentoxifylline have slow action and have important adverse effects. Finally, there is no pattern or guidelines for treating these patients, becoming more difficult to evaluate and to control this condition. This review aims to show the main drugs used in the treatment of ENL and the challenges in the management of the reaction.
Collapse
|
11
|
Ramos JM, Ortiz-Martínez S, Lemma D, Petros MM, Ortiz-Martínez C, Tesfamariam A, Reyes F, Belinchón I. Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Children and Adolescents with Leprosy Admitted Over 16 Years at a Rural Hospital in Ethiopia: A Retrospective Analysis. J Trop Pediatr 2018. [PMID: 28645166 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmx048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
AIM To analyse differences in children and adolescents aged ≤18 years admitted to the leprosy ward in a rural Ethiopian hospital >16 years. METHODS We retrospectively collected data from leprosy admission registry books on patients with leprosy who were admitted to a referral hospital from September 2000 to September 2016. RESULTS There were 2129 admissions for leprosy during the study period: 180 (8.4%) patients were s ≤ 18 years old. Of these, 98 (54.4%) were male and 82 (45.6%) were female. The proportion of new diagnoses in children and adolescents was 31.7%, significantly higher than in adults (11.7%; p < 0.001). There were also significant differences in the prevalence of lepromatous ulcers (46.9 vs. 61.7%), leprosy reaction (29.4 vs. 13.0%) and neuritis (16.9 vs.5.3%) between these age groups. CONCLUSIONS There were more new diagnoses, leprosy reactions and neuritis, and fewer lepromatous ulcers, in children and adolescents compared with adults, with younger patients being referred more frequently to reference centres.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José M Ramos
- Department of Paediatrics and Medicine, Gambo Rural General Hospital, Shashemane, Ethiopia.,Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante 03010, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, San Joan d'Alacant, Alicante 03550, Spain
| | - Sonia Ortiz-Martínez
- Department of Paediatrics and Medicine, Gambo Rural General Hospital, Shashemane, Ethiopia.,Primary Care Unit, El Bonillo Centro de Salud, Albacete 02610, Spain
| | - Deriba Lemma
- Department of Paediatrics and Medicine, Gambo Rural General Hospital, Shashemane, Ethiopia
| | - Matheus M Petros
- Department of Paediatrics and Medicine, Gambo Rural General Hospital, Shashemane, Ethiopia
| | - Carmen Ortiz-Martínez
- Palliative Care Unit, Hospital Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro, Albacete 02006, Spain
| | - Abraham Tesfamariam
- Department of Paediatrics and Medicine, Gambo Rural General Hospital, Shashemane, Ethiopia
| | - Francisco Reyes
- Department of Paediatrics and Medicine, Gambo Rural General Hospital, Shashemane, Ethiopia
| | - Isabel Belinchón
- Department of Medicine, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, San Joan d'Alacant, Alicante 03550, Spain.,Service of Dermatology, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante 03010, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wagenaar I, Post E, Brandsma W, Bowers B, Alam K, Shetty V, Pai V, Husain S, Sigit Prakoeswa CR, Astari L, Hagge D, Shah M, Neupane K, Tamang KB, Nicholls P, Richardus JH. Effectiveness of 32 versus 20 weeks of prednisolone in leprosy patients with recent nerve function impairment: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005952. [PMID: 28976976 PMCID: PMC5643133 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While prednisolone is commonly used to treat recent nerve function impairment (NFI) in leprosy patients, the optimal treatment duration has not yet been established. In this "Treatment of Early Neuropathy in Leprosy" (TENLEP) trial, we evaluated whether a 32-week prednisolone course is more effective than a 20-week course in restoring and improving nerve function. METHODS In this multi-centre, triple-blind, randomized controlled trial, leprosy patients who had recently developed clinical NFI (<6 months) were allocated to a prednisolone treatment regimen of either 20 weeks or 32 weeks. Prednisolone was started at either 45 or 60 mg/day, depending on the patient's body weight, and was then tapered. Throughout follow up, NFI was assessed by voluntary muscle testing and monofilament testing. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with improved or restored nerve function at week 78. As secondary outcomes, we analysed improvements between baseline and week 78 on the Reaction Severity Scale, the SALSA Scale and the Participation Scale. Serious Adverse Events and the need for additional prednisolone treatment were monitored and reported. RESULTS We included 868 patients in the study, 429 in the 20-week arm and 439 in the 32-week arm. At 78 weeks, the proportion of patients with improved or restored nerve function did not differ significantly between the groups: 78.1% in the 20-week arm and 77.5% in the 32-week arm (p = 0.821). Nor were there any differences in secondary outcomes, except for a significant higher proportion of Serious Adverse Events in the longer treatment arm. CONCLUSION In our study, a 20-week course of prednisolone was as effective as a 32-week course in improving and restoring recent clinical NFI in leprosy patients. Twenty weeks is therefore the preferred initial treatment duration for leprosy neuropathy, after which likely only a minority of patients require further individualized treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inge Wagenaar
- Dept. of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Erik Post
- KIT Health, Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wim Brandsma
- Independent Leprosy Consultant, Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bob Bowers
- Rural Health Program, The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh, Nilphamari, Bangladesh
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Khorshed Alam
- Rural Health Program, The Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh, Nilphamari, Bangladesh
| | | | - Vivek Pai
- Bombay Leprosy Project, Mumbai, India
| | - Sajid Husain
- JALMA institute of Leprosy & Other Mycobacterial Diseases, Agra, India
| | - Cita Rosita Sigit Prakoeswa
- Dermatovenereology Dept., Dr Soetomo Hospital–Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Linda Astari
- Dermatovenereology Dept., Dr Soetomo Hospital–Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Deanna Hagge
- Anandaban Hospital and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Mahesh Shah
- Anandaban Hospital and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Kapil Neupane
- Anandaban Hospital and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | - Peter Nicholls
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Hendrik Richardus
- Dept. of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Walker SL, Sales AM, Butlin CR, Shah M, Maghanoy A, Lambert SM, Darlong J, Rozario BJ, Pai VV, Balagon M, Doni SN, Hagge DA, Nery JAC, Neupane KD, Baral S, Sangma BA, Alembo DT, Yetaye AM, Hassan BA, Shelemo MB, Nicholls PG, Lockwood DNJ. A leprosy clinical severity scale for erythema nodosum leprosum: An international, multicentre validation study of the ENLIST ENL Severity Scale. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005716. [PMID: 28671966 PMCID: PMC5510881 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We wished to validate our recently devised 16-item ENLIST ENL Severity Scale, a clinical tool for measuring the severity of the serious leprosy associated complication of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). We also wished to assess the responsiveness of the ENLIST ENL Severity Scale in detecting clinical change in patients with ENL. METHODS Participants, recruited from seven centres in six leprosy endemic countries, were assessed using the ENLIST ENL Severity Scale by two researchers, one of whom categorised the severity of ENL. At a subsequent visit a further assessment using the scale was made and both participant and physician rated the change in ENL using the subjective categories of "Much better", "somewhat better", "somewhat worse" and "much worse" compared with "No change" or "about the same". RESULTS 447 participants were assessed with the ENLIST ENL Severity Scale. The Cronbach alpha of the scale and each item was calculated to determine the internal consistency of the scale. The ENLIST ENL Severity Scale had good internal consistency and this improved following removal of six items to give a Cronbach's alpha of 0.77. The cut off between mild ENL and more severe disease was 9 determined using ROC curves. The minimal important difference of the scale was determined to be 5 using both participant and physician ratings of change. CONCLUSIONS The 10-item ENLIST ENL Severity Scale is the first valid, reliable and responsive measure of ENL severity and improves our ability to assess and compare patients and their treatments in this severe and difficult to manage complication of leprosy. The ENLIST ENL Severity Scale will assist physicians in the monitoring and treatment of patients with ENL. The ENLIST ENL Severity Scale is easy to apply and will be useful as an outcome measure in treatment studies and enable the standardisation of other clinical and laboratory ENL research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen L. Walker
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Anna M. Sales
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - C. Ruth Butlin
- Department of Medicine, The Leprosy Mission International, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mahesh Shah
- Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Armi Maghanoy
- Department of Dermatology, Leonard Wood Memorial Center for TB and Leprosy Research, Cebu, Philippines
| | - Saba M. Lambert
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Family Medicine, Suisse Clinic, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Joydeepa Darlong
- Department of Medicine, The Leprosy Mission Hospital, Purulia, India
| | | | | | - Marivic Balagon
- Department of Dermatology, Leonard Wood Memorial Center for TB and Leprosy Research, Cebu, Philippines
| | | | - Deanna A. Hagge
- Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - José A. C. Nery
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kapil D. Neupane
- Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Suwash Baral
- Department of Dermatology and Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, The Leprosy Mission Nepal, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Biliom A. Sangma
- Department of Medicine, The Leprosy Mission International, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Abeba M. Yetaye
- Department of Dermatology, ALERT Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | | | - Peter G. Nicholls
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Diana N. J. Lockwood
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|