SynthesisPLoS neglected tropical diseases2022
Delayed detection of leprosy cases: A systematic review of healthcare-related factors.
Synthesis in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 37 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
37 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 59 citations in OpenAlex.
- Gendered experiences of people living with tuberculosis or leprosy: A global systematic review.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2026Pooled it
- The Predictive Role of Biomarkers for Leprosy Prophylaxis in Contacts of Patients Who Are Indices of the Disease: A Systematic Review of the Literature.Mediators of inflammation · 2026Pooled it
- Prevalence of paucibacillary cases of leprosy in Brazil: a 20-year systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in medicine · 2024Pooled it
- Dual template (epitope) imprinting of Mycobacterium leprae bacterial protein for enhanced MIP-EQCM sensing.Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry · 2026Article
- Diagnostic Challenges of Lepromatous Leprosy in a Non-Endemic Setting: A Case of Atypical Primary Hyperpigmentation.International journal of dermatology · 2026Article
- Factors associated with disability among patients with leprosy: a scoping review.BMC infectious diseases · 2026Article
- Understanding patient pathways and care delays in India: implications for early leprosy detection.Public health action · 2026Article
- Temporal and spatial patterns of Leprosy in Uganda, 2020-2024: A nationwide surveillance analysis.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2026Article
- Experiences and perceptions on diagnostic delay of leprosy by affected people in Colombia: A qualitative study.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2026Article
- Strengthening frontline capacity for skin neglected tropical diseases: Findings from a global survey.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2026Article
- Sensitivity of immunohistochemistry in the laboratory diagnosis of leprosy: a systematic review protocol.BMJ open · 2026Article
- Machine learning methods to predict leprosy misdiagnosis in Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Delayed diagnosis as a barrier to Zero Leprosy: Lived experiences from Pakistan.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
- Peripheral Nerve Ultrasound Findings in Leprosy: A Scoping Review of Echogenicity, Cross-Sectional Area, and Vascularization Across 15 Studies.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2026Review
- Tools to strengthen skin neglected tropical disease training in resource-limited settings.JAAD international · 2025Article
- Endemicity, disability and neglect: Leprosy in Colombia 2007-2020.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2025Article
- A single-cell V(D)J sequencing dataset of peripheral blood cells in multibacillary leprosy.Scientific data · 2025Article
- Correlation and Trends in Primary Health Care and Family Health Strategy Coverage of Leprosy Detection in Minas Gerais.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2025Observational
- An interrupted time series study of the leprosy case detection in Brazil after the COVID-19 pandemic.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- A socio-ecological model of the management of leprosy reactions in Indonesia and India using the experiences of affected individuals, family members and healthcare providers.BMC health services research · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundIn new leprosy cases, grade 2 disability (G2D) is still a public health burden worldwide. It is often associated with the delayed leprosy diagnoses that healthcare systems should play a crucial role in preventing. The aim of this systematic review was to identify healthcare factors related to delays in case detection in leprosy.
methodsPRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) was used as a guideline in this research. The study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) with reference code CRD42020189274. Data was collected from five electronic databases: Embase, Medline All Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and the WHO Global Health Library.
resultsAfter applying the selection criteria for original empirical studies, and after removing duplicates, we included 20 papers from 4313 records. They had been conducted in ten countries and published between January 1, 2000, and January 31, 2021. We identified three categories of healthcare factors related to delayed case. 1) Structural factors, such as i) financial and logistic issues, and geographical circumstances (which we classified as barriers); ii) Health service organization and management including the level of decentralization (classified as facilitators). 2) Health service factors, such as problems or shortages involving referral centers, healthcare personnel, and case-detection methods. 3) Intermediate factors, such as misdiagnosis, higher numbers of consultations before diagnosis, and inappropriate healthcare services visited by people with leprosy.
conclusionsDelays in leprosy case detection are due mainly to misdiagnosis. It is crucial to improve the training and capacity of healthcare staff. To avoid misdiagnosis and reduce detection delays, national leprosy control programs should ensure the sustainability of leprosy control within integrated health services.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.