OBJECTIVE:
to describe the characteristics of deaths occurring in selected hospitals in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, having leprosy recorded as the underlying cause.
METHODS:
this is a descriptive case series study of deaths recorded on the Mortality Information System (SIM) between 2006-2011. The study was conducted by a trained multidisciplinary team using a standardized instrument to examine inpatient and outpatient medical records.
RESULTS:
11 of the 19 deaths investigated were confirmed to have occurred owing to leprosy complications. The majority of these were males (n=9) and people with black/brown skin color or race (n=10). The most frequent reason for their hospitalization was leprosy reaction (n=8).
CONCLUSION:
the study confirmed the number of deaths caused by leprosy complications, as well as the existence of deaths from other causes recorded as being due to leprosy.
Leprosy/mortality; Mortality Registries; Information Systems; Descriptive Epidemiology
