Abstract
Background: Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infectious disease having major burden on
humans over thousands of years. If untreated, it results in permanent damage to various systems
and organs. So we designed this study to evaluate the neurological complications in early stage in
adult leprosy patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to find out the pattern of neurological
manifestations among adult leprosy patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional
hospital-based study on 85 adult tribal leprosy patients was conducted in a district level health
care facility from January to December 2014 using simple, direct, standardized questionnaire
including history and neurological examinations. Results: The commonest age group affected was
18–30 years (62.4%). Male group was predominant (68.2%). Majority cases (66%) had
multibacillary leprosy. At first visit 72.7% cases with neurological findings could not be diagnosed
correctly by primary health care personnel. More than six months were required for correct
diagnosis in 61.2% cases. Numbness was the commonest (74.5%) neurological symptom. In upper
limb, motor findings were predominant with wasting in 50.9% cases. In lower limb, sensory
findings were predominant with stock pattern sensory impairment being the commonest (56.4%).
Ulnar nerve was the commonest peripheral nerve to enlarge with tenderness. Facial nerve was the
commonest cranial nerve involved. All cases with multiple cranial nerves involvement were of
multibacillary type. Due to physical disability 92.7% cases lost their jobs. Conclusion: In this
study neurological involvement was found associated with severe disability. !