Background: Leprosy is a chronic and complex infectious disease. It affects skin and the peripheral nerves
causing nerve damage, pain, visible deformities and disabilities. Leprosy patients suffer from physical, psychological,
social discrimination and stigmatization.
Objectives: To determine the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a group of leprosy patients in Egypt outlining
their sociodemographic, dermatological and neurological characteristics.
Patients and methods: The study included 300 leprosy patients recruited from Benha Dermatology & Leprosy
clinic and Abu Zaabal Leprosarium in Egypt. Patients were subjected to detailed history taking, dermatological and
neurological examination (including DN4 questionnaire to assess pain), and assessment of HRQoL using Arabic
version of DLQI and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires.
Results: Patient’s mean age was 59.4. 161 (53.67%) were males and 139 (46.33) were females. Lepromatous
skin lesions were found in 150 (50.33%), while 137 (45.67%) had cutaneous drug side effects. Pure neurological
leprosy was for 12 (4%) patients. Neuropathic pain was diagnosed in 195 (65%) of patients based on DN4 score
(≥ 4). World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2 deformities were diagnosed in 62 patients (20.66%). The mean DLQI
score was 11.58. Patients had the lowest mean scores in all domains of the WHOQOL-BREF which indicates a marked
impairment of HRQoL.
Conclusions: Quality of life was impaired in 100% of leprosy patients. In Egypt leprosy causes significant
impairment of patients’ HRQoL even in fully treated patients. It is recommended to implement DN4 and WHOQOLBREF
questionnaires in research and routine assessment of leprosy patients. |
