EVALUATION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF RAPID TESTS IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF LEPROSY AND THEIR ROLE IN PROMOTING PUBLIC HEALTH

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1593952316119

• Palavras-chave: leprosy; rapid tests; early detection; epidemiology.

• Keywords: leprosy; rapid tests; early detection; epidemiology.

• Abstract:

  INTRODUCTION: Leprosy still represents a serious public health problem in Brazil and the delay in detection can be attributed to the lack of diagnostic capacity and the absence of rapid tests. With this, Brazil became the first country to incorporate the rapid immunochromatographic test into the Unified Health System (SUS) for the early detection of leprosy – technology that plays a crucial role in promoting health, reducing the burden of the disease in the community, preventing disabilities and improving the quality of life of affected patients. This study aims to discuss the main scientific evidence about the importance of early detection of leprosy and the impact of rapid tests on the current epidemiological scenario of the disease. 

  METHODS: This integrative review was based on 13 studies on the importance of rapid tests in the early diagnosis of Leprosy. The PICO strategy was used to construct the research question and articles were selected from databases such as MEDLINE/PubMed, SCIELO and LILACS. RESULTS: To advance the fight and achieve the global strategy towards zero leprosy, it is necessary to invest and advance in research and distribution of rapid tests, overcome infrastructural obstacles, in addition to improving the quality of clinical services for diagnosis and monitoring of leprosy complications. illness. Furthermore, psychological support for affected people and families is essential, ensuring their longitudinal approach. CONCLUSION: In short, this review highlights the persistence of leprosy in developing countries, identifying a succession of failures in the process of combating this disease. This way, the relevance of early diagnosis and the importance of implementing rapid testing in this investigation and reducing the burden of the disease in the community were highlighted.