Psychiatric Co-Morbidities in Patients with Leprosy-A Hospital-Based Study from South Odisha
Author(s): Ananta Charan Meher, Sibasish Patro, Sanjeev Supakar* and Purna Chandra Pradhan*
Abstract
Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by mycobacterium leprae. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence & nature of psychiatric disorders in patients with leprosy attending a tertiary care hospital in south Odisha and evaluate its association with socio-demographic & clinical variables. The study was conducted on 100 patients between the ages of 18-60 who had Hansen's disease in an out-patient setting and at the dermatology department of SLN Medical College and Hospital, Koraput. The study sample was tested for mental illness using specially prepared pro-forma and the ICD 10 Mental Illness Checklist. Our study shows that the prevalence of mental illness among leprosy patients was 34%. Among all the mental disorders, depression was the most common followed by anxiety. Patients living in cities had significantly lower mental illness compared to semiurban and rural patients. Psychiatric disorders in patients with leprosy were more common in the older adult group (51-60 years. Mental disorders were higher in women compared to men. Mental illness was higher in patients with the lepromatous stage of leprosy. We therefore conclude that patients with leprosy have significant comorbidities of the mind such as depressive disorders which are often followed by anxiety disorders. Psychiatric co-morbidity not only adds to patient’s outcomes but also has a negative impact on prognosis and morbidity. Early detection and treatment of this disorder can be helpful.