Infrared Thermography for Detection of Neural Impairment in Leprosy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

IF 3.2 4区 医学 Q1 DERMATOLOGY
Narayanan Baskaran, Tarun Narang, Manoj Goyal, Simone Cazzaniga, Luca Borradori, Keshavamurthy Vinay, Sunil Dogra
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Abstract

Background: Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, leads to peripheral neuropathy and significant functional disability if its diagnosis is delayed. Infrared thermography may offer a non-invasive method for the detection of neurological complications.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 leprosy patients and 20 healthy controls. Participants were assessed for cutaneous temperature using infrared thermography at defined areas corresponding to peripheral nerve innervation points (hands, feet, and face). Sensory neuropathy was analyzed using the Semmes-Weinstein (SW) monofilament test, while autonomic nerve dysfunction was evaluated through the sympathetic skin response (SSR). Data were analyzed with the aim of verifying whether changes in skin temperature clinically correlated with sensory loss, autonomic nerve dysfunction, and distinct forms of the leprosy spectrum.

Results: Leprosy patients had significantly lower skin temperature compared to controls, with a mean temperature of 32.5°C ± 2.3°C vs. 35.2°C ± 0.4°C for hands (p < 0.001) and 24.1°C ± 2.8°C vs. 34.8°C ± 0.5°C for feet (p < 0.001). Temperature differences were most pronounced in body areas showing sensory neuropathy (e.g., 30.1°C ± 2.2°C for hands with absent sensation vs. 34.1°C ± 1.6°C with normal sensation, p < 0.001). Strong linear correlations were found between cutaneous temperature and sensory loss assessed using SW filaments (p < 0.001) and between cutaneous temperature and SSR (p < 0.001). Disability grade also correlated with lower temperatures, with hands at 34.3°C for no disability, 31.3°C for Grade 1, and 31.5°C for Grade 2 disability.

Conclusion: Infrared thermography is a promising, non-invasive tool for the detection of peripheral sensory impairment in leprosy. The results obtained by infrared thermography show a strong correlation with those obtained using standard tests for sensory loss and autonomic nerve dysfunction.

红外热成像检测麻风病神经损伤的横断面研究。
背景:由麻风分枝杆菌引起的麻风,如果诊断延迟,可导致周围神经病变和严重的功能障碍。红外热成像为神经系统并发症的检测提供了一种非侵入性的方法。方法:对100例麻风患者和20例健康对照者进行横断面研究。在周围神经支配点(手、脚和脸)对应的定义区域,使用红外热像仪评估参与者的皮肤温度。采用Semmes-Weinstein (SW)单丝试验分析感觉神经病变,通过交感皮肤反应(SSR)评估自主神经功能障碍。对数据进行分析,目的是验证皮肤温度的变化是否与感觉丧失、自主神经功能障碍和不同形式的麻风病谱在临床上相关。结果:与对照组相比,麻风患者皮肤温度明显降低,手部平均温度为32.5°C±2.3°C,手部平均温度为35.2°C±0.4°C (p)结论:红外热像仪是一种很有前景的、无创的麻风外周感觉障碍检测工具。红外热像仪获得的结果与使用感觉丧失和自主神经功能障碍的标准测试获得的结果有很强的相关性。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
4.70
自引率
2.80%
发文量
476
审稿时长
3 months
期刊介绍: Published monthly, the International Journal of Dermatology is specifically designed to provide dermatologists around the world with a regular, up-to-date source of information on all aspects of the diagnosis and management of skin diseases. Accepted articles regularly cover clinical trials; education; morphology; pharmacology and therapeutics; case reports, and reviews. Additional features include tropical medical reports, news, correspondence, proceedings and transactions, and education. The International Journal of Dermatology is guided by a distinguished, international editorial board and emphasizes a global approach to continuing medical education for physicians and other providers of health care with a specific interest in problems relating to the skin.
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