LEPROSY IN BRAZIL: CHALLENGES AND ADVANCES IN PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT.

Abstract

Leprosy is an infectious-contagious disease, which evolves slowly, and manifests itself mainly through dermatoneurological signs and symptoms: lesions on the skin and peripheral nerves, mainly in the eyes, hands and feet. The impairment of peripheral nerves is the main characteristic of the disease, making it have great potential to cause physical disabilities that can, consequently, evolve into deformities. The disease mainly affects the superficial nerves of the skin and peripheral nerve trunks. This study is a literature review that seeks to analyze and synthesize the available information about Leprosy, focusing on the situation in Brazil and public health policies, using data sources from LILACS, PubMed, Scielo and the Brazilian Ministry of Health. It is considered a neglected tropical disease because it remains endemic, almost exclusively in populations living in poverty in developing countries, even after the introduction of effective and free treatment more than 3 decades ago.
Social stigmas associated with the disease often lead to isolation among patients, affecting their quality of life and employment opportunities. Lack of awareness among healthcare professionals results in late diagnoses, leading to neurological complications. Therefore, the disease affects not only physical health, but also has significant socioeconomic impacts.