Abstract: Objective: To understand the status of grade 2 disability (G2D) in newly detected leprosy cases and its influencing factors, so as to provide a reference for optimizing leprosy prevention and control strategies. Methods: Medical records of newly detected leprosy cases in Lu'an City from 1954 to 2021 were collected. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of G2D in newly detected leprosy cases. Results: A total of 395 newly detected leprosy patients were analyzed, including 153 cases in the G2D group and 242 cases in the non-G2D group. Univariate analysis showed that educational level, delay period, source of infection, number of skin lesions, number of nerve damage, leprosy reactions, and leprosy type were risk factors for G2D. Logistic regression analysis indicated that primary school education or below, a delay period of ≥24 months, more than 5 skin lesions, presence of leprosy reactions, and TT-type leprosy were risk factors for G2D in newly detected leprosy cases (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Leprosy cases with low educational level, long delay period, multiple skin lesions at diagnosis, leprosy reactions, and TT-type leprosy have a high risk of disability. Targeted prevention and control measures should be taken to reduce the disability rate.

Key words: leprosy, rate of disability, influencing factors, leprosy type