Association between psychological comorbidities, leprosy reaction, cortisol and C-reactive protein levels in people on leprosy treatment

Leprosy is a chronic disease with clinical and immunologic manifestations and is associated with psychological comorbidities. This case series study aimed to analyze the psychological factors (symptoms of depression and anxiety, stress, distress, and stigma), leprosy reactions, and cortisol and C-reactive protein levels during leprosy treatment at three points in time. Repeated analysis of variance was used to compare instrument scores across the three assessments, and Pearson’s correlation was used to correlate each treatment moment. The results showed the presence of symptoms of anxiety, depression, distress, and stress in individuals with leprosy; the presence of stigma; the reduction of anxiety symptoms during treatment; and the association between stress and other psychological comorbidities and leprosy reactions. These results support the need to implement diagnostic and control strategies for psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and stress in people with leprosy and to control possible leprosy reactions.