EVALUATION OF BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS FOR BONE CHANGES IN LEPROSY PATIENTS

Leprosy has prominent effect on hands and feet. Bone deformities are the most occurred complication in leprosy and can result to deformity and disability. Bone resorption leads to the increased levels of ALP, U. CA/CR level ratio. Decreased hemoglobin level is most observed in these patients. The leprosy patients were compared with healthy. U. CA/CR levels is used for studying bone resorption which may be associated with new bone formation it can be evaluated by estimating ALP levels. Blood changes is also studied by estimating Haemoglobin in Hansen’s patients. The mean value U.CA/CR ratio, ALP is also increased in cases when compared to controls which indicate bone resorption coupled with compensatory new bone formation. The Hb% was also decreased in leprosy patients. The present study suggests an increased bone resorption in leprosy patients and is attributed to compensatory new bone formation coupled with bone resorption. In conclusion our data suggests that therapy aimed at reducing bone loss may benefit these patients with high bone turnover and decrease the deformities and disease burden due to leprosy.