Introduction
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s Disease, is a chronic granulomatous
bacterial disease due to infection with Mycobacterium leprae bacilli
affecting mainly skin and peripheral nerves. It can also affect the
eyes, mucous membranes, bones, cartilage, joints, and testes producing a
spectrum of clinical presentations and has the potential to cause severe
disfigurement of the affected individuals.1–3Elimination of leprosy as a public health problem globally was achieved
in 2000 and most countries including Nepal by
2010.1,4–6 In 2020, Globally 127,396 new cases were
reported with a case detection rate of 16.4 per million population.
Brazil, India, and Indonesia reported 72.5% of registered cases and
74% of new cases detected in 2020. In Nepal 2304 new cases were
detected in 2020.4 Diagnosis might be delayed due to
unusual presentation or mimicking other Rheumatological diseases
especially when presented along with
polyarthritis.7–10 Early detection and treatment are
critical for preventing neuropathy and disability.
Here we present a case of a 67-year-old male with a delay in diagnosis
of leprosy who has suffered for almost one and half years due to its
resemblance to seronegative rheumatoid arthritis initially and unaware
of variation of clinical presentation in leprosy.