Incidence of nerve damage in leprosy patients treated with MDT.

The incidence rates of sensory and motor impairments during and after multidrug therapy (MDT) are reported for a prospective cohort of patients who had no nerve damage at registration (N = 1621). Sensory and motor loss increased with age and both were high among multibacillary patients as compared with paucibacillary patients. The lateral popliteal (common peroneal) and posterior tibial nerves seem to be most affected for sensory loss; whereas the posterior tibial and ulnar nerves are mainly responsible for motor loss. No significant difference by gender was found. Implications for prevention of disability (POD) activities are discussed and suitable recommendations made.