Short course treatment of paucibacillary (TT/BT) leprosy cases.

A study has been undertaken wherein (TT/BT) cases with less than 5 lesions have been given DDS for 12 months alone or in combination with steroids for initial 1 month or rifampicin for initial one week. It has been found that only about three fourths of the cases become disease inactive in 12 months period. Follow up of 15 to 21 months in the post treatment period has shown a relapse rate of 6.33 per 1000 patient months. There was no difference in number of relapses occurring in the three regimens i.e. with or without rifampicin. Half the relapses were primarily in the nerves. During the course of treatment, a slightly higher number of patient in the DDS group had nerve problems as compared to group wherein additional steroids had been given.