Abstract Statement of the problem : Leprosy is a leading cause of preventable disability worldwide. According to the WHO, Indonesia is the 3rd country with the highest number of lepromatous case in the world. Delay in diagnosis increases rate of infection, and allows a more severe progression of disease, therefore factors that hinders patient from getting treatment and doctor’s delayed treatment should be identified. Case Illustration : A 34 year old male presented with an erythematous lesion on the left hand, was painless and itches. The lesion then increases in size, and appears in the patient’s face, accompanied with loss of sensation on the lesion, and loss of eyebrow hair. The patient was given only anti-fungal ointment, which shows no effect towards the lesion and worsening of symptoms.
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Discussion : Identified factors associated with the delay in diagnosing leprosy are 1) patient’s education level, 2) social stigma, 3) limited of health facility and 4) GP’s lack of early stage diagnosis of leprosy.
Conclusion & Significance : In conclusion, the need for patient education regarding leprosy symptoms and the reduction of stigma should be reinforced. High rate of misdiagnosis suggests the need to increase clinician suspicion of leprosy. It is recommended to provide further education about early signs of leprosy to the community and for General Practitioner to have a deeper understanding to detect in its early stage.
Keywords : Leprosy, General Practitioner, Delayed diagnosis, Clinical diagnosis
