The rheumatic manifestations of leprosy

We investigated the rheumatic and laboratory features in 25 patients with Hansen's disease. Sixteen (64%) developed a broad range of rheumatic manifestations, the most common being a distinctive syndrome of swollen hands observed in 10 patients (66.5%). These manifestations were more frequent in patients with lepromatous leprosy. There was no correlation between articular clinical findings and X-ray or laboratory abnormalities. A careful clinical history and the recognition of rheumatic features will help to differentiate patients with leprosy and rheumatic manifestations from those with a primary rheumatic disease.