Hemolytic anemia in patients receiving daily dapsone for the treatment of leprosy

Abstract

Introduction: Multidrug therapy for leprosy is currently done with dapsone, clofazimine and rifampicin. Dapsone is known to cause hemolytic anemia (HA) and this adverse event during MDT seems to be more frequent than reported. The aim of this report is to discuss and grade HA due to dapsone during MDT treatment for leprosy. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 194 leprosy patients from a Leprosy Control Programme Unit in Vitória-ES, Brazil. Results: HA was observed in 48 (24.7%) patients and occurred within the first 3 months in 51% of these. Mean hematocrit levels fell from 38.5 to 31.5 and hemoglobin from 12.8 to 10.3. Conclusion: Dapsone used in the MDT regime for leprosy decreases the hematocrit and hemoglobin levels due to a low grade hemolysis, which can result in significant anemia.