Abstract

Hansen’s disease is one of the oldest diseases in mankind, characterized as an infectious, chronic, granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae). The objective of this article was to describe the epidemiological profile of physical disability cases due to Hansen’s disease in Pará-Brazil. All cases of Hansen’s disease evaluated in relation to the occurrence of physical incapacity were reported in the metropolitan area registered in the SUS electronic database (DATASUS). Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that the patients who were physically incapacitated in the region and in the period studied, are mostly men, aged between 15 and 49years, mainly living in the municipalities of Ananindeua and Belém. Dimorphic and Vischorwiana were the most frequent, being classified as multibacillary. In addition, the male gender, age greater than 60years and the multibacillary clinical form. The large number of physical disabilities found in grade II suggests passivity of health services, resulting in late diagnosis. This situation points to the need to intensify control measures, decentralizing them, reinforcing the role of primary care, promoting popular awareness and health professionals training.

Keywords

Hanseníase, Degree of physical disability, Health Profile, intracellular, infection, disease, mechanisms, leprosy, inflammatory, deficits, primary, traumatic, retractions, infective, clinic, indeterminate, economically, elimination