[Nasal leprosy: impact of multitherapy in the morphology and physiology of the nose].

Introduction: The multi-drug therapy protocol has allowed leprosy patients following this strategy to achieve complete recovery without developing neurotrophic sequelae or deformities.

Objectives: To assess the impact of multi-drug therapy on the development of nasal deformities and nasal airway patency.

Patients And Method: In an overall group of 84 patients studied, 38 were treated with a therapy based on a single drug and 22 were treated with multi-drug while 24 subjects formed a control group. Nose morphology was determined by anterior rhinoscopy. Nasal patency and flow resistances were measured by anterior rhinomanometry. The results were compared by using the Anova test for a single variable.

Results: The nasal structures in the group with therapy based on a single drug underwent resorption of bone and cartilage in the structures of the nose and increased flow resistance. In the group receiving the multi-drug protocol, there were no significant morphological alterations and nasal patency and flow resistance remained within normal levels.

Conclusions: The multi-drug therapy is effective in preventing the development of nasal deformities and maintains normal nasal airflow.