PREVENTION of REPEAT EPISODES of TYPE 2 LEPROSY REACTION: The Use of Daily Doses of Thalidomide

Leprosy Hansen’s disease is a chronic disease that can have its course interrupted by reactional episodes of type 1 and type 2 or ENL. Thalidomide is the election medication for the control of ENL episodes since 1965. However, these episodes can happen repeatedly with consequent damages to the patient. In order to avoid these episodes, after controlling them with the traditional dosage, an extra dose of 100mg/d was used in a period of six months, with attendance during other six months after suspending thalidomide. A total of 42 MB patients have been evaluated, 39 (92,85%) of type V and 3 (7,15%) of type D, that presented ENL, whether first episode or repeatedly. To mention their gender, 33 (78,6%) were male and 9 (21,4%) were female. Ages varied between 18 to 84 years old, but most were older then 49. It has been observed that 100% of patients did not present reactional episode during the usage of this dosage of thalidomide. After suspension, during the period of clinic observation, 33 (78,6%) patients did not present reactional episode and only 9 (21,4%) patients, both with lepromatous type, presented it, in a light form, with no other signs and symptoms, controlled only with non hormonal anti-inflammatory, showing no need for thalidomide reintroduction. No adverse effect has been observed. The authors suggest the usage of thalidomide, in doses of 100mg/d for maintenance, which they showed to be effective, avoiding the repetition of the reactional episodes of type 2. Key-words: Hansen’s disease; Erythema Nodosum Leprosum; Thalidomide; treatment