Incidence of new cases of leprosy in the southeast region (2018-2023): An ecological study

Abstract

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It mainly affects the skin, peripheral nerves, mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, and eyes. Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases known to humanity and, despite advances in its treatment, still represents a public health challenge in various parts of the world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. This ecological study aims to analyze the incidence of new cases of the disease in the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo, between the years 2018 and 2023. For this purpose, data from the Notification of Diseases Information System (SINAN) of the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) were used for tabulation and analysis of the disease's behavior in the region. The analysis will encompass not only the absolute number of cases but also the incidence rate and prevalence per 100,000 inhabitants, allowing for a more precise comparison between the states analyzed. Additionally, sociodemographic characteristics of patients, such as age and race/ethnicity, will be explored to identify groups at greater vulnerability to the disease. Thus, this study aims to understand the geographical and temporal distribution of leprosy in the southeast region during the evaluated period, as well as to identify possible factors associated with the increase or decrease in cases.