Abstract
Investigations were made of the relationship between the recurrence of lepromatous leprosy and the method of treatment, particularly, 1) whether or not this recurrence occured due to insufficient administration of antilepsory drugs, 2) from the rate of development of recurrence which drug was most effective, and also 3) in order to prevent recurrence what
was the minimum total annual dose of the drugs.
Results
1. The recurrence rate was 5-13%, and there was no appreciable differences between the patient groups treated either single with Promin, Promizol, DHDS, Diazone or with combinations of Promin and Promizol, Promin and Diazon.
2. With either Promin or Promizol, the recurrence rate was lower among the patients who receved a larger numder of injections and larger total amount of the drug per year.
From the standpoint of recurrence the minimum number of Promin injections required was 160 times per a year and the minimum total amount of Promizol was 600g.
3. 20% of the patients with recurrences received more than minimum amount of the drugs, while rest of them were found to be due to insufficient treatment. Some of the former case recurrences might have been caused by the appearance of resistant strains.
4. At 6-7 years after starting treatment the rate of recurrrence was found to be the highest; 14.6% with Promin and 28.6% with Promizol. The following high rate of recurrence was seen at 8-9 years after starting treatment.
5. The rate of recurrence in patients who suspended Promin treatment was 41.9%. As to the time of recurrence, within 1 year 80% and within 2 years 55.2%. Most cases of recurrence occured within a short period after suspending treatment.
This was considered due to insufffcient treatment. Therefore, studies should be to determine methods to eliminate or reduce complications or side effects associated with administration of antileprosy drugs, so that we shall be able to give adequate antileprosy treatment to prevent the development of recurrences.
From the patients who received sufficient treatment no cases of recurrence was observed.
