Incidence of anemia in leprosy patients treated with dapsone

Abstract

Fifty-seven patients with different types of leprosy treated with dapsone 50-100 mg per day were evaluated in regard to the frequency, onset and etiology of anemia. Fifty-one patients had normal G-6-PD, six patients had complete deficiency of G-6-PD. Significant anemia developed in 40 cases out of 51 patients with normal G-6-PD (P<0.05). The onset of significant anemia in this group was one month after dapsone administration and continued throughout the course of treatment for one year. The methemoglobin level rose significantly (P < 0.01) in correlation with the dose of dapsone administered. Seventeen patients had hemolysis, 13 had Heinz bodies and one had positive direct Coombs' test. Hemolytic anemia developed in 5 out of 6 patients with complete deficiency of G-6-PD, but not severe enough to necessitate discontinuation of treatment.