Contribution of type 1 reactions to sensory and motor function loss in borderline leprosy patients and the efficacy of treatment with prednisone

The changes in nerve function tests in 297 new leprosy patients over an ave rage period of 30 months were measured. The impact of type I reactions (T1R ) on sensory and voluntary muscle function was measured by standard tests. Sensory function was improved in patients with single episodes of cutaneous T1R, but not improved in patients with neural T1R or with multiple episode s of either kind of T1R. Patients over 40 years of age improved less than y ounger patients, and patients admitted for treatment of T1R improved more t han those treated as outpatients. These data point to a need to find better regimens for the treatment of nerve damage in T1R.