Sociodemographic and clinical aspects, nutritional status, social participation and activity limitation and risk awareness of patients with leprosy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/demetra.2025.83296Keywords:
Leprosy. Nutritional status. Muscle strength. Food insecurity. Daily activities.Abstract
Introduction: Leprosy is a Neglected Tropical Disease, endemic in Brazil, with some aspects of vulnerability related to the disease that are underexplored in the literature. Objective: To assess the sociodemographic, clinical, and nutritional profile, social participation and activity limitation, and risk awareness among individuals with leprosy attending a multiprofessional leprosy outpatient clinic in Minas Gerais. Methods: Sociodemographic, anthropometric, dietary intake, handgrip strength (HGS), Food Insecurity Screening Questionnaire, Activity Limitation Screening, Risk Awareness, and Social Participation Scale data were analyzed from a convenience sample of individuals attending the outpatient clinic. Results: The analyzed sample comprised 20 individuals, 60% male, mostly adults, white, married, with a monthly income between 1 and 3 minimum wages, 64.71% with Multibacillary form, 85% with some degree of activity limitation, and 61% with participation restriction. There was a prevalence of 40% obesity according to Body Mass Index, with excess fat (45%) in Arm Fat Area, low adequacy of arm muscle circumference (80%), and 40% risk of food insecurity. A positive correlation was observed between higher HGS and total muscle mass (p=0.028); right (p=0.008) and left arm (p=0.013) muscle mass. Dietary intake showed altered lipid profile, below recommended intake of retinol (95%), Vitamin C (15%), Iron (35%), and Zinc (20%). Conclusion: There is a suggested need for monitoring and follow-up of body composition, muscle strength, nutrition, and sociodemographic and clinical factors in individuals with leprosy.
Introduction: Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease, endemic in Brazil, with aspects of vulnerability associated with the disease that are little explored in the literature. Objective: Evaluating the sociodemographic, clinical and nutritional profile, social participation and activity limitation, and risk awareness of individuals with leprosy at a multidisciplinary leprosy outpatient clinic in Minas Gerais. Methods: Sociodemographic, anthropometric, food consumption, handgrip strength (HGS), food insecurity risk screening questionnaire, screening activity limitation and safety awareness, and social participation scale data from a convenience sampling of individuals followed at the outpatient clinic were analyzed. Results: The sample studied included 20 individuals, 60% male, mostly adult, white, married, with a monthly income between 1 and 3 minimum wages, 64.71% with the multibacillary form, 85% with some degree of activity limitation, and 61% with restricted participation. There was a prevalence of 40% of obesity according to the Body Mass Index, with excess fat (45%) in the fat area of the arm, low adequacy of the muscle circumference of the arm (80%) and risk of food insecurity in 40%. A positive correlation was observed between higher HGS and total muscle mass (p=0.028); of the right arm (p=0.008) and left arm (p=0.013). Food consumption showed an altered lipid profile, consumption below the recommended level of retinol (95%), vitamin C (15%), iron (35%) and zinc (20%). Conclusion: A profile with sociodemographic vulnerabilities, functional limitations, excess weight and reduced muscle mass, risk for food insecurity and nutritional inadequacies was evidenced.
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