IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE DIAGNOSIS OF LEPROSY IN CEARÁ

ECOLOGICAL STUDY, 2017-2022

Abstract

Introduction: Leprosy is an infectious, chronic, aerosol-transmitted disease that is treatable and curable. Control factors of the COVID-19 pandemic may have significantly affected the diagnosis, treatment, and control of leprosy in Ceará. This study sought to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis of leprosy in the state of Ceará. Methods: Ecological time-series study of new cases of leprosy reported in the Notifiable Diseases Information System from 2017 to 2022 in Ceará. Three main indicators were calculated: annual detection rates, detection rates in children under 15 years of age, and new cases with grade 2 physical disability. The trend in the rates was analyzed by joinpoint regression. Results: A decreasing trend was observed in the three indicators throughout the study period, but the trend in the rate of new cases with grade 2 disability was not statistically significant. Conclusion: A temporal association was identified that suggests an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the reduction of leprosy detection rates in Ceará during the period analyzed.