LEPROSY
Leprosy Review
0305-7518
British Leprosy Relief Association
Colchester, UK
12-1719
0305-7518/12/064053+12
10.47276/lr.83.2.172
Original Papers
Limitations in activities of people affected by leprosy after completing multidrug therapy: application of the SALSA scale
S. M. T. Nardi et al.
Limitations in activities of people affected by leprosy after completing multidrug therapy: application of the SALSA scale
PaschoalVânia Del’arco
ca
Lauro de Souza Lima Institute, PO Box 3021, Bauru – SP, 17034-971 Brazil
b
Adolfo Lutz Institute – Regional Laboratory in São José do Rio Preto-SP, São Paulo, Brazil.
Rua Alberto Sufredini Bertoni n° 2325. Maceno. São José do Rio Preto-SP, CEP: 15060-020 – Brazil
c
Medicine School in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416 – Vila São Pedro – 15090-000. São José do Rio Preto – SP
d
School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 715 – Sumaré, São Paulo, 01246-904- São Paulo, Brazil
Correspondence to: Susilene Maria Tonelli Nardi, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Centro de Laboratório Regional – IAL – São José do Rio Preto-X, Rua Alberto Sufredini Bertoni n° 2325, Maceno, São José do Rio Preto-SP CEP: 15060-020–Brazil (Tel/fax: +(17) 3224-2602 /+(17) 3224-1423; e-mail: snardi@ial.sp.gov.br; susilenetn@ibest.com.br)
01062012
83
2
172
183
14022012
© Lepra
2012
Objectives:
To identify people affected by leprosy with impairments after completing multidrug therapy for leprosy, and to assess their limitations in conducting daily activities by applying the Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA) scale.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was performed of all residents of a medium-sized city who were treated for leprosy from 1998 to 2006. A specific questionnaire was applied to obtain general and clinical data and the SALSA scale was used to assess limitations in activities. Impairments were assessed using the ‘World Health Organization leprosy disability grading system’ (WHO-DG).
Findings:
Of the 335 people affected by leprosy treated in the period, 223 (62.1%) were located and interviewed. A total of 51.6% were female with a mean age of 54 years (SD ± 15.72) and 67.9% had up to 6 years formal education. The borderline form predominated among interviewees (39.9%) and 54.3% suffer from associated diseases with hypertension (29.1%) and diabetes (10.3%) being the most common. Pain was reported by 54.7% of interviewees. By multiple logistic regression analysis, associations were found between limitations in activities and being female (P < 0.025), family income ≤ 3 minimum wages (P-value < 0.003), reports of major lesions (P-value < 0.004), pain (P-value < 0.001), associated diseases (P-value < 0.023) and the WHO-DG (P-value < 0.001). Disabilities, as identified using the WHO-DG, were less common (32%) than limitations in activities as evaluated by the SALSA scale (57.8%).
Conclusion:
Limitations in activities proved to be common in people affected by leprosy and were associated with low income, being female, reported major lesions, disability, disease and pain.