Unveiling the Past: Retrospective Exploration of Multidrug Therapy (MDT) Efficacy in Multibacillary Leprosy Patients

Abstract

Background: The bacterial index (BI) and morphological index (MI) values on slit skin smear (SSS) examination are supporting examinations that can be used to evaluate the treatment of multibacillary (MB) leprosy patients.

Method: This study was a retrospective study, by measuring SSS examination before and after treatment, from January 2018-December 2020 patients' medical records at Tertiary Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. In this study, 49 MB patients with a positive SSS examination and had completed multidrug therapy (MDT).

Results: After completing MDT, the BI score was 0 at 71.4% (p<0.05) and the MI score was 0% at 100% (p<0.05).

Conclusion: MDT therapy was shown to have significant results, but there was still a positive BI value of 28.6% and an increase in BI of 2% in patients. The current 12-dose MDT-MB therapy is still an option for patients with MB leprosy, particularly in endemic areas such as Indonesia.