ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS IN LEPROSY PATIENTS: A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) DISABILITY GRADE AND THE EYE-HAND-FOOT SCORE

作者：Raposo Marcos Tulio^*; de Queiroz Caminha Ana Virginia; Heukelbach Jorg; Sanchez Gonzalez Miguel Angel; Luis Alves de Medeiros Jovany; Battistella Nemes Maria Ines

来源：Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo, 2011, 53(2): 77-81.

DOI：10.1590/S0036-46652011000100004

• Leprosy
• Disability evaluation
• Disabled health

This cross-sectional study assessed the grade of physical impairments in 61 individuals with leprosy receiving multidrug therapy (MDT) under the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), and residing in Campina Grande, Paraiba State, Brazil. Impairments were assessed using the disability grade (DG) standardized by the WHO, and the EHF score (Eye-Hand-Foot sum of impairment scores). Impairments were detected in 25 (41%) of the subjects. A total of 14(23%) patients scored DG 1, while 11(18%) were assigned DG 2. The EHF score ranged from 1 to 10 points in the group of patients with physical impairments, with a mean score of 3.6 points. The majority of individuals with impairments were affected in at least two sites. We conclude that the EHF score showed overlapping impairments in the segments examined and may be more appropriate than the DG classification system for describing the degree of physical impairment of leprosy patients.

• 出版日期2011-4