The diagnosis of leprosy may be delayed or even missed if the patient presents in a developed country or region where leprosy is not normally seen. Leprosy is more likely to be encountered because people can travel easily today.
Reasons for a delayed diagnosis of leprosy:
(1) The clinical onset is years after the patient migrated from where the infection was acquired.
(2) The patient has not disclosed the previous diagnosis of leprosy.
(3) Failure to test an unexplained skin patch for anesthesia.
(4) Failure to consider leprosy in the differential diagnosis of an unexplained neuropathy.
(5) Failure to detect or recognize the significance of a thickened peripheral nerve.
(6) Failure to consider leprosy as the cause of an unexplained ulcer on the foot or lower extremity.
(7) Failure to consider leprosy in the differential diagnosis of a patient with arthritis or other joint symptom.
(8) The healthcare provider has never seen a case of leprosy and is unfamiliar with it.
(9) Poor access to healthcare.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
