Self-administered drug compliance in Nepali leprosy patients

The self administration of dapsone by Nepali leprosy patients receiving multidrug therapy was assessed by a colorimetric and a filter paper spot test. Overall 45 out of 337 (13.3%) patients were found to be non-compliant. The relation of non-compliance to sex, age, leprosy classification, therapy type and length of therapy was investigated. The spot test was compared with the colorimetric assay and found to have a relative sensitivity of 99.3% and specificity of 95.4%. Follow up of patients was successful in that two-thirds of non-compliant patients were compliant on their follow-up test.