Dermlep Study Part 3: Post-RFT Events in Leprosy Patients Presenting to Dermatologists.

Introduction: Presently the leprosy program has no defined surveillance protocols for patients who complete the fixed duration multidrug therapy and are released from treatment (RFT). Hence, the information about the post-RFT events in these patients is sparse and qualitative and quantitative data regarding their health care requirements is missing. During the survey carried out by the Indian Association of Dermatologists,Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL), a number of patients presented to dermatologists during the post RFT period for a variety of symptoms.

The Dermlep Study Part 2: Results of a Nation-Wide Survey of Dermatologists' Access to Quality Leprosy Services at their Clinics and Hospitals in India.

Introduction: Dermatologists in India are trained and qualified to treat leprosy and there is evidence to suggest that they are involved in the diagnosis and management of a significant number of leprosy patients in the country. The present study evaluated the access to quality leprosy services at their clinics and hospitals to understand the extent of their role in providing comprehensive care to people affected by leprosy and how it can be organized further.

Methods: The DermLep Study was a pan-India questionnaire-based survey carried out to evaluate the role that dermatologists play in leprosy management in the country.

The DermLep Study I: Results of Prospective Nation-Wide Survey of the Number & Profile of Leprosy Patients seen by Dermatologists in India.

Introduction: There is evidence to suggest that there is a mismatch between the number of reported cases of leprosy in India and the number of actual cases in the country. One reason could be that many patients are diagnosed and treated outside the NLEP network and dermatologists may be managing some of these patients not captured by official statistics. To estimate these missing numbers, the carried out to study the number and profile of leprosy patients seen by dermatologists and their significance.