Ocular findings among Filipino patients with Leprosy in a tertiary hospital: A cross-sectional survey
https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.v55i5.3307
- Author:
Mae N. Ramirez
1
;
Mark Anthony D. San Juan
2
;
Jay-V James G. Barit
1
;
Jacinto U. Dy-Liacco
2
;
Belen L. Dofitas
1
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
2. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Cataract;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Eye Diseases;
Leprosy
- From:
Acta Medica Philippina
2021;55(5):538-543
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Leprosy, a chronic granulomatous disease affecting mainly the skin and peripheral nerves, has widely recognized ocular complications. It is a significant cause of visual impairment in countries where it is still prevalent, including the Philippines.
Methods:This was a cross-sectional study that determined the clinical profile and distribution of ocular pathology among Filipino patients with leprosy seen at a tertiary institution in the Philippines.
Results:A total of 67 patients consented to be included in the study and were evaluated by an ophthalmologist. Thirty-seven out of the 67 patients diagnosed with leprosy had reported ocular findings. The average age was 41.2 ± 13.1 years and the majority of patients were men (78%). Thirty-six patients were multibacillary cases, 10 (27%) had a lepra reaction, and 24 (65%) were undergoing multi-drug therapy. Three patients had varying degrees of visual acuity impairment (one was visually impaired with visual acuity [VA] 6/24-6/60, one with VA 3/60-5/60, and one with VA <3/60). Steroid-induced cataracts occurred in four patients (6%) with concurrent or previous systemic corticosteroid treatment for lepra reactions. Univariate logistic regression and Fisher’s exact test of patient-, disease-, and treatment-related variables on ocular morbidity revealed non-significant values for all variables except for age with an odds ratio of 1.1 (95% CI, 1.04, 1.16) (p = 0.001).
Conclusions:No ocular morbidities directly caused by leprosy were seen, and treatment-related ocular findings (steroid-induced cataracts) were the only morbidities documented. There is an age-related risk for developing ocular morbidity in patients with leprosy.
- Full text:3307-Article Text-37204-2-10-20211103.pdf
