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.

Introducción

El protocolo de terapia combinada ha permitido que los enfermos de lepra tratados según esta estrategia alcancen una curación sin secuelas neurotróficas ni deformidades.

Objetivos

Determinar el impacto de la multiterapia en el desarrollo de las alteraciones del esqueleto óseo cartilaginoso y en la función respiratoria nasal.

Pacientes y método

Estudiamos a 84 sujetos: 38 pacientes tratados con monoterapia, 22 pacientes tratados con multiterapia y 24 sujetos control. Exploramos la morfología nasal mediante rinoscopia anterior y la función respiratoria nasal mediante rinomanometría anterior activa. En el análisis estadístico se ha utilizado el test ANOVA de un factor.

Resultados

En el grupo de monoterapia observamos una reabsorción osteocartilaginosa de las estructuras nasales y un aumento de las resistencias nasales. Los pacientes que recibieron multiterapia no presentaron cambios morfológicos significativos y la función respiratoria nasal se mantuvo dentro de la normalidad.

Conclusiones

La terapia combinada es eficaz porque previene la aparición de deformidades nasales y la insuficiencia respiratoria nasal.