Evaluation of the Life Span in Leprosy Patients

Na, Gun Yeon

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The life span of leprosy was shorter than general populations prior to sulfone therapy.
OBJECTIVE
This study set out to determine the life length of leprosy patients in comparison with general populations.
METHODS
The subject of this study was the dead leprosy patients from January 1970 to December 1991, registered in Taegu Fatima hospital Leprosy Clinic, Korea. The data were obtained by analyzing medical records of dead leprosy patients and simutaneously life tables. After the age of onset(Xi), the life expectancy of Xi in the life table(Ex) and the age of death(X) were examined, and then a real life expectancy(rEx) was computed by X-Xi-Ex (rEx=X-Xi-Ex).
RESULTS
The average life span of leprosy patients was 60.80+/-14.11 years in comparison with 67.04years of general populations. In regard to real life expectancy, patients were -4.98+/-13.5years; that is, the patients' life expectancy is shorter tan general populations by about 5yerars. For the span of life by disease type was 59.26+/-13.9years, PB type 62.42+/-14.1(p>0.1). For those whose age of onset occured before(n=77) and after (n=244) 20-years: average life span 54.57+/-14.9, 62.77+/-13.2(p<0.01) : real life expectancy -6.53+/-17.3, -4.49+/-12.1(p>0.1). In MB type between before(n=40) and after(n=124) age 20 : average life span 52.40+/-13.9, 61.47+/-13.2(p<0.01) : real life expectancy -83+/-17.3, -5.71+/-12.1(p>0.1). In PB type between before(n=37) and after(n=119) age 20 : average life span 56.92+/-15.7, 64.13+/-13.2(p<0.05); real life expectancy -4.59+/-17.1, -3.15+/-12.1(p>0.1). For those whose death year occured before(n=158) and after(n=163) 1981: average life span 58.31+/-13.99+/-13.85(p<0.01): real life expectancy -8.48+/-11.97, -1.59+/-14.15(p<0.01).
CONCLUSION
The average life span of leprosy patients was shorter than general populations was shorter than general populations by about 5years.(