Symptom surveillance for leprosy in Gansu, 2019−2022

Objective To analyze symptom surveillance data of leprosy in Gansu province from 2019 to 2022 and provide evidence for further improvement of leprosy symptom surveillance system.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted by using the patient information during 2019–2022 collected from National Leprosy Management Information System for a descriptive analysis.

Results The coverage rate of symptom surveillance was 32.35% in Gansu at the end of 2022. During 2019–2022, a total of 3 976 patients were reported to have medical care seeking, with the highest report in medical units at the county and township levels. In the reported suspected symptoms, the most common one was chronic skin illness with unknown diagnosis or prolonged treatment (lasting over three months). The top five single illness were eczema, psoriasis, allergic dermatitis, urticaria, and neurodermatitis. Seven cases of leprosy were confirmed, the difference in the interval between reporting and confirmation was not significant (χ²=2.829, P=0.243). The diagnosis delay ranged from 26 years to 20 months with an average of 8 years. The medical treatment delay ranged from 1 month to 0 months with an average of 1 month. Sparse eyebrow or eyebrow loss and leonine faces appearance could be seen in all confirmed cases. Undiagnosed or long-standing skin illness and localized skin dryness (sweat gland closure) or paresthesia were observed in 71.43% of the cases with unclear diagnoses.

Conclusion It is necessary to further strengthen leprosy symptom surveillance and early warning to reduce the incidence of monstrosity and disability effectively.