Evaluating the Rate and Timing of Reactions Among Patients With Hansen's Disease

BACKGROUND: Immunologic reactions are a major complication of Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy. To minimize reactions, clofazimine is added to multidrug therapy for its anti-inflammatory effect. Minocycline is an alternative antileprosy medication that has evidence to suggest it also has anti-inflammatory properties. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is a difference in the frequency of reactional episodes and time of onset while receiving minocycline for Hansen's disease compared with multidrug therapy. METHODS: This study used an observational design comparing two independent groups. RESULTS: No differences were found between reaction occurrence and time to onset in patients who received either alternative therapy with minocycline or standard multidrug therapy treatment with clofazimine. Logistic regression indicated a significant association between borderline tuberculoid and reactions (chi(2)[1] = 3.898, p = .048). Patients with borderline tuberculoid were 68% less likely to develop reactions (Type 1 or 2) than other types of Hansen's disease while accounting for treatment, age, and race (OR = 0.320, 95% CI [0.103, 0.992]). CONCLUSION: Although there was no significant difference in reaction rate between treatment groups, these findings indicate the clinical form borderline tuberculoid is a significant negative predictor for reactions. However, sample size limited the ability to determine significance based on reaction type.