Proportion, Pattern and Need Assessment of Deformities Among Registered Leprosy Affected Individuals in Chamrajanagar District

India achieved success in the elimination of leprosy (0.95/10000 population) by December 2005.(1) Elimination is not eradication and leprosy cases will continue to present even after the disease has been declared as eliminated. With epidemiological shift from elimination to post-elimination phase, surveillance systems should be strengthened at all levels to ensure that appropriate information on leprosy patients is collected and managed.(2) 
 
Chamrajanagar district had prevalence rate as high as 89/10,000 population at the time of beginning MDT, following which there was a sustained decline in the prevalence. Shifting the case detection strategy post integration, from active case detection to voluntary reporting, has resulted in decreased opportunities for health system and patient contact. In final stages of the battle against this disease, pertinent epidemiological information regarding changes in disease characteristics and distribution is vital to monitor progress of elimination and formulate interventions. Hence, a study was conducted with the following objectives: 
 
 
 
 
 
To assess the proportion and pattern of deformities among registered leprosy affected individuals in Chamrajanagar district; and 
 
 
To assess the care needs for disability limitation and rehabilitation among leprosy affected individuals having deformity.


Introduction
India achieved success in the elimination of leprosy (0.95/10000 population) by December 2005. (1) Elimination is not eradication and leprosy cases will continue to present even after the disease has been declared as eliminated. With epidemiological shift from elimination to post-elimination phase, surveillance systems should be strengthened at all levels to ensure that appropriate information on leprosy patients is collected and managed. (2) Chamrajanagar district had prevalence rate as high as 89/10,000 population at the time of beginning MDT, following which there was a sustained decline in the prevalence. Shifting the case detection strategy post integration, from active case detection to voluntary reporting, has resulted in decreased opportunities for health system and patient contact. In final stages of the battle against this disease, pertinent epidemiological information regarding changes in disease characteristics and distribution is vital to monitor progress of elimination and formulate interventions. Hence, a study was conducted with the following objectives: • To assess the proportion and pattern of deformities among registered leprosy affected individuals in Chamrajanagar district; and • To assess the care needs for disability limitation and rehabilitation among leprosy affected individuals having deformity. Information was collected on parameters like sociodemographics, deformity assessment, grading and self care. Deformity assessment was based on WHO Guidelines for Assessment and Grading for Disability in Leprosy. (3) WHO Grading is as Grades: 0, 1 and 2. Grade 0: no deformity. Grade 1: loss of sensation but no visible deformity. Grade 2: presence of visible deformity. Examination of the patient, type of care needed and assessment of self-care needs was carried out based on standard guidelines adapted from "Guidelines for implementing a disability prevention programme in the field" by H Srinivasan. (4) The investigator had received training from the District Technical Support Team (DTST) to assess deformity, and the findings in sample of patients were validated by the DTST staff.

Deformity proportion and pattern
In leprosy circles, the terms deformity and disability are used synonymously and graded as Grade 0, 1 or 2.
(3) Table 1 shows that 8.5 % had Grade 1 (loss of sensation) and 11.6% had Grade 2 (visible deformity). Among the Grade 2 deformity the pattern of deformities observed was the following: ulcers in hands 17(56.7%), claw hand 18 (60%), scars/cracks in hands 17(56%), scars/cracks in hands 17(56%) and plantar ulcers 6 (20%) and foot drop 1(3.3%) Literature review shows that Grade II deformity was found in 4% of newly detected cases in 2000 worldwide, 3% in SEAR, 1.8% in India (2004). (5) Our field level assessment showed a higher deformity proportion probably as both existing and release from treatment cases were studied. A study in Gwalior revealed that 35% of the cases had Grade 2 disability. (6) Grade 1 deformity which is precursor for developing Grade 2 deformities is not currently recorded. Many cases could have developed deformity after being diagnosed or after starting treatment, post-reactions or even after release from treatment. Post-integration, there was a lack of system for training to neither assess deformity nor progressively monitor patients for deformity assessment post-treatment. These are issues that need to be addressed if elimination is to be made meaningful to address quality of life and not only mere completion of treatment.

Need assessment
Skin, wound and joint care was the predominant type of care needed by the study subjects [ Table 2].
There is an unmet training need as less than 30% of the subjects were trained in activities of self-care and even a smaller fraction actually practised it, as evident from Table 3.

Conclusion
Deformity proportion is increasing in the district and there is a need to monitor LAI's for deformity (both Grade 1 and Grade 2) during treatment and perhaps even after treatment completion. Voluntary detection as strategy may have delayed detection of deformities.
The needs of the LAI's were identified as training and resources in self-care (skin care, wound care and joint care), provision of necessary protective equipment, orthopedic appliances, physiotherapy, mobility aid and reconstructive surgery.
Recommendations: Post integration era, it is an urgent unmet need to step up targeted, need-based behavioral change communication (BCC) strategies which will influence detection delay, early recognition and management of reactions, promote early reporting and self-care practices in the community.
It is recommended to conceptualize and implement a field-based disability care and prevention program   Government, NGOs and private organizations need to work together in a coordinated fashion in the final battle against leprosy to avoid any complacency in this assumed success in elimination. The natural history of disease is still uncertain and immediate need of the hour is to consolidate the gains achieved.