[Occurrence of neuritis among leprosy patients: survival analysis and predictive factors].

Neuritis in leprosy cases is responsible for deformities and disability. The objective of this historical cohort study was to investigate the risk factors associated with the time taken for neuritis to occur. This study followed up 595 patients from 1993 to 2003. The life table technique and the Kaplan-Meier method for survival curves were used. The log-rank test was used to test differences between groups regarding the time take for neuritis to occur, and the Cox regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratios. Just over half (54%) of the sample had neuritis, which had mostly taken 0 to 11.9 months to appear. The degree of disability at admission and the bacillary index were strongly associated with the occurrence of neuritis, thus confirming the need for early diagnosis of leprosy, as well as regular neurological follow-up and appropriate interventions.