Recurrence of leprosy cases in the State of Mato Grosso, Central-West Brazil.

OBJECTIVE To compare new registrations of recurrences of leprosy cases in primary healthcare units (PHUs) and in specialized units in the State of Mato Grosso. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study based on all new registrations (N = 323) of recurrences of leprosy cases within the Notifiable Disease Information System (SINAN) between 2004 and 2006 that were made in the State of Mato Grosso, Central-West Brazil. The cases diagnosed were compared regarding sex, age, clinical-laboratory characteristics and geographical distribution among the municipalities. To compare and calculate the proportions of the variables, the chi-square test at the significance level of 5% was used. RESULTS Among the new registrations of recurrences, 20% were confirmed at specialized units and 80% at PHUs. However, most of the diagnoses at PHUs presented negative bacilloscopy findings (c2 = 12.34; p = 0.002). Seventy-one per cent of the cases were among males; the mean age was 43 years. No differences in the percentages of registrations were observed between the healthcare units with regard to clinical form, operational classification or degree of physical incapacity. Out of the total number of municipalities in the state, 64.7% presented recurrences and these accounted for 6 to 20% of all registrations. CONCLUSIONS The new registrations of cases of recurrence in Mato Grosso were influenced by the diagnoses made at PHUs, thus suggesting that there is a deficiency within the healthcare services in recognizing cases of recurrence.