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LETTER TO EDITOR |
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Year : 2018 | Volume
: 4
| Issue : 2 | Page : 85-86 |
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First mobile application - Lepra reaction basic management guide - Stress on steroids
Pugazhenthan Thangaraju
Department of Clinical Division, Central Leprosy Teaching and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Date of Web Publication | 31-Dec-2018 |
Correspondence Address: Dr. Pugazhenthan Thangaraju Central Leprosy Teaching and Research Institute, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu India
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijdd.ijdd_18_18
How to cite this article: Thangaraju P. First mobile application - Lepra reaction basic management guide - Stress on steroids. Indian J Drugs Dermatol 2018;4:85-6 |
How to cite this URL: Thangaraju P. First mobile application - Lepra reaction basic management guide - Stress on steroids. Indian J Drugs Dermatol [serial online] 2018 [cited 2024 Mar 28];4:85-6. Available from: https://www.ijdd.in/text.asp?2018/4/2/85/249182 |
Sir,
As a tool for managing lepra reaction rationally and proper use of steroids a new application was developed. This will definitely guide the health professionals in the area of steroid use, as a special section on steroids is emphasized.
Lepra reaction is an anticipated component and complication of leprosy. It is the immunological response by the host immune system against the bacterial antigen.[1] It should be managed rationally and with utmost caution. Irrational management of lepra reaction leads to relapse of reaction symptoms frequently, reaction progression, disability in case of mismanagement of neuritis, and mostly the psychological stress that leads to sick life. Based on a recent web-based survey, the knowledge of healthcare professionals in the management of lepra reaction is found to be deficient.[2] Furthermore, there is irrational management of lepra reaction with available drugs. Hence, there should be a tool to guide the healthcare professionals in the basic management of reaction.
The guideline published by the World Health Origination and national leprosy eradication program gives an overview in the management of lepra reaction. The knowledge disseminated in the guideline is regarding managing various reactions, are not of much clarity. Even though the guideline stress on referral mechanism in recurrent relapse of reaction or complication, the primary care management in most of the primary health center is not rationale.
The component of this application is divided into four major sections as [Figure 1]
- Classification of reaction
- Categorizing the severity
- Clinical images and
- Points on steroids.
The classification of reaction is further divided into its two types, type I or reversal reaction and type II or erythema nodosum leprosum. The severity scale of categorization into mild and severe was done based on clinical signs and symptoms, has been clearly outlined in this application. The management of mild and severe reaction is guided under each section of categorization of severity. For better understanding, few clinical pictures have been incorporated.
The important section of the application is the points on “steroids.” These were the highlighted important points, which a treating doctor should keep in their mind for rationale usage of steroids in case of a reaction.
This application will definitely guide the lepra reaction specialist in the management of reaction effectively and rationally. This is the first step taken for guiding doctors in the field of leprosy with very basic informations.
The application is available free for download from play store under the name of “LEPRA REACTION BASIC MANAGEMENT GUIDE.”
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
References | | |
1. | |
2. | Thangaraju P, Venkatesan S, Tamilselvan T, Sivashanmugam E, Showkath Ali MK. The resurgence of leprosy in India: Findings from a survey assessing medical professionals' knowledge and preparedness. Educ Health Prof 2018;1:24-7. [Full text] |
[Figure 1]
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