During the 4 years from May 1974 to April 1978, the survey was performed on 1,680
leprosy patients. The great majority of these patients were arrested or quiescent leprosy
patients but a few positive patients, who settles in the same settlement villages around
Seoul, Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces were included. In that observation three
different types of disability index [DI(1), DI(2), DI(3)] were available to find out the
frequency of disabled patients in relation to sex, age, type of leprosy, duration of the
disease, possible means of receiving treatment.
The noticeable findings were made as follows:
1. The rate of disability was 61.1% (1,026 patients) among the 1,680 patients.
DI(1). Among these disabled patients 84.6% were slightly disabled and 15.4% were
partially disabled. Among all these cases, none was found unable to work.
DI(2). 77.7% were slightly disabled and 22.1% partially disabled. Those unable to work
were found to be 0.2%.
DI(3). 58.5% were slightly disabled and 40.0% partially disabled. Those unable to
world were found to be 1.5%.
2. The frequency of disabled was a significantly higher in male than female; 65.0% in
male, 56.1% in female. This frequency was inclined to increase at 0.1-0.4 value of all
three of DI(1) DI(2) DI(3) in female and above 0.5 value in male.
3. It was noted that frequency of disablement increased markedly according as ages
increased. Among 10-29 years 42.6%, among 30-49 years 58.1% and above 50 years
72.5%. Patients with 0.1-0.4 value of DI(1) DI(2) and DI(3) increased among the disabled
of 10-29 rears. The percentage of patients with disability between 0.5 value of DI(1)
DI(2) and 1.0 value of DI(3) increased with their ageing.
4. In difference of type of leprosy, the frequency of disabled was significantly greater
(73.2%) in T-type as compared to 56.1% in L-type. But none of the disabled patients
were found in I-group of leprosy. It was found that an increase above 0.5 value of
DI(1) in T-type and also above 1.0 value of DI(2) in T-type. We couldn't notice any
certain difference in percentages of DI(3) in L-type and T-type.
5. The great number of duration of the disease, the prevalence in disability rate
increased markedly above 0.5 value of DI(1) DI(2) and 1.0 value of DI(3).
6. The rate of leprosy disability was 60.3% among the patients taking regular
treatment and 65.7% among the patients taking irregular treatment. This difference in
percentage seemed to be not significant. Percentage of disability index increased above
1.0 value of DI(1) DI(2) and DI(3) among the patients taking irregular treatment.
7. The frequency of disabled male or female in L-type and T-type was inclined to
increase in cases of Group 2. It might suggest a certain decline from relatively advanced
stages of leprosy into severe stages, which makes us realize the necessity of taking
preventive measure without delay.
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