INVESTIGATION OF ORAL ALTERATIONS AND SEQUELAE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH HISTORY OF LEPROSY

Abstract

Introduction: Leprosy is a chronic, transmittable, debilitating disease and the oral cavity is a location for contamination by Hansen’s bacillus. Objective: To investigate the occurrence of oral alterations and sequelae in individuals with a past and current history of leprosy in the municipality of Paulo Ramos, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 36 individuals affected by leprosy in follow up in the Family Health Program (form of primary care) and with notifications registered with the Brazilian Disease Notification Information System. Descriptive statistics was performed. Results: In the sample, there was a predominance of individuals of the female sex (61,1%), with a mean age of 50.39 years, low purchasing power with a household income up to three times the Brazilian monthly minimum wage (97,2%) and no schooling (42%). Regarding clinical conditions, 38.9% were individuals with a past history and 61.1% had a current history of the disease, with the dimorphous type predominant in both groups. The analysis of oral status revealed marked situation of severe oral problems and the accumulation of treatment needs. None of the individuals examined had oral sequelae. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate absence of oral alterations and oral sequelae specifically related to Mycobacterium leprae. Only intraoral alterations related to caries and periodontal disease were found.

Keywords: Leprosy. Oral health. Complications