The multidrug therapy (MDT) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) has dramatically changed the natural history of leprosy. It reduced the prevalence and development of antimicrobial resistance.1 A cohort of 371 leprosy patients was followed-up for 13 years to identify the sociodemographic profile and the most frequent adverse effects of MDT.

In a retrospective study from 2002 to 2014, 371 leprosy patients were evaluated and the socio-demographic profile and adverse effects (AE) of the standard MDT were evaluated. Paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB) patients who underwent less than four and nine supervised doses, respectively, were excluded; 196 patients remained.

Of the 196 patients, 97 were males and 99 females; 41.32% were treated with MDT-PB, 53.05% with MDT-MB, and 5.61% with an alternative regimen (Table 1). A total of 61 adverse effects were reported in 56 patients, of whom 64.28% (36) were women. Three patients were under 15 years of age; 12 were over 70 years; and 41 (73.21%), between 16 and 69 years. Hemolytic anemia was the most frequent adverse reaction (73.20%), whether acute (30.35%) or chronic (42.85%); 83.3% of these cases were observed in women, mainly aged 45 years or over (63.3%). The chance of a patient with anemia being female was 2.14 times greater (OR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.14–4.12). Sulfonic syndrome occurred in two patients, while methemoglobinemia was observed in one (Table 2). Gastrointestinal alterations such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or epigastric pain were observed in nearly one-fifth of the patients, mostly (72.2%) due to DDS. Two patients presented photosensitivity. The chance of an individual having an AE increased with each year of age (OR = 1.02; 95% CI 1.00–1.04). Nonetheless, no association was observed between type of AE and age.

Most AEs occurred in the first few supervised doses, 33.92% in the first and 76.78% until the fourth (Table 2). DDS was the most implicated drug; it accounted for 96.7% of AE (59/61), and was replaced in almost half of the cases (49.15%). RFP alone represented 3.27% of the AEs and was suspended in only one patient, due to refractory headache. Mild thrombocytopenia occurred in three patients using a combination of RFP and DDS. Some patients presented more than one AE (Table 3).

In the cohort of 196 individuals studied, most MB treatments were in male patients. Nobre et al. reported twice as much MB cases in men (OR = 2.36; 95% CI 2.33–2.38).2 Half of the patients were between 20 and 40 years of age. Literature data show that AE can occur in up to half of the patients (45%) in MDT; in the present study, it occurred in less than 30%.3,4,5 Although more than a quarter (n = 56) of the patients experienced an AE, the drug was replaced in 30 of the 185 cases that started the standard regimen. More than two-thirds of AEs occurred in the first four months of treatment and DDS was the medication most involved, according to reports in the literature.5 Hematological AE occurred in almost three quarters of the patients and have been related to the individual capacity for sulfamine (DDS) acetylation and hydroxylation. Individuals with hemoglobinopathies, G6PD deficiency, and those receiving oxidative medications may be at increased risk for hemolytic anemia.6 Dapsone-related photoallergy has led to the discontinuation of the drug in two cases. The occurrence of AE in women was twice as high, corroborating Dupnik's findings of the association of female gender with an increased risk of drug reaction.7 G6PD genes are on the X chromosome and some mutations lead women with partial disabilities to develop symptoms.8 In the present study, it was observed that women over 45 years of age had a higher risk of AE, contrary to the findings by Dupnik, who observed it in younger women.7 The chance of an individual having AE increases with each year of age for both sexes (OR = 1.02; 95% CI 1.00–1.04). Slower metabolization in older patients would justify this finding.9 Goulart et al. also found an increased risk of hematological effects in older patients.3 Sulfonic syndrome, although severe, is uncommon; it was observed in 1.53%, in agreement with the literature.3,5,10 Gastrointestinal complaints improved with recommendations for concomitant food intake and/or use of antiemetics, not requiring drug suspension.

DDS was responsible for the largest number of AE cases, mainly in the first trimester. Anemia was the most frequent, mainly in women. The risk of AE increases with each year of age. These findings reinforce the need for greater vigilance at the beginning of treatment, in women, and in older patients.

None declared.

Violeta Duarte Tortelly: Approval of the final version of the manuscript; design and planning of the study; drafting and editing of the manuscript; collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; effective participation in research orientation; intellectual participation in propaedeutic and/or therapeutic conduct of studied cases; critical review of the literature; critical review of the manuscript.

Egon Luiz Daxbacher: Approval of the final version of the manuscript; design and planning of the study; effective participation in research orientation; critical review of the literature.

Arles Martins Brotas: Approval of the final version of the manuscript; critical review of the literature; critical review of the manuscript.

Sueli Carneiro: Approval of the final version of the manuscript; design and planning of the study; drafting and editing of the manuscript; critical review of the manuscript.

None declared.