Some observations on patients from two leprosy colonies in north India attending a city clinic

Fifty-eight patients (26 males - mean age 52.5 years, 32 females - mean age 58.5 years) from two different leprosy colonies (Ambala and Jagadhari) were studied. Maximum number of the patients (48.4%) belonged to Uttar Pradesh. The clinical diagnosis was LLp:41(70.7%), LLs:14(24.2%), LL-burnt-out, BB-BL and BT: one each (1.7%). Mean duration of disabilities/deformities in these patients was 21.5 years. A peculiar myokymic movement of periorbital muscles was observed in 20 patients (34.5%). While dapsone monotherapy was continued in 55 patients, MDT (WHO-multibacillary regimen) was started in three patients. Vocational advice was given to 23 patients; and 35 (60.4%) patients were declared as "destitutes".