Psychiatric disorders in leprosy patients in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare leprosy patients (n=66) with healthy controls (n=19) for the occurrence of psychiatric co-morbidities. Comparisons were done with Zung depression, Speilberger anxiety and Symptom check list 90R self-rating scales. The leprosy group, in comparison with the healthy controls, had had significantly higher mean scores in depression and anxiety scales; Moreover, global assessment of psychopathology revealed higher levels of psychiatric symptoms with Symptom check list 90R in leprosy group. Our findings suggested that leprosy patients should be included into the risk groups for psychiatric problems and further studies concerning about psychiatric issues are indicated in order to increase our understanding.