Scientific evidence on leg ulcers as leprosy sequel

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the scientific evidence on leg ulcers as leprosy sequel. Methods: This is an Integrative Literature Review (ILR). In order to identify the theme and research question, the PICo strategy was used, in the sequence the search was carried out in Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Latin American & Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), (BDENF), EMBASE (Elsevier), PUBMED (National Library of Medicine), SCOPUS (Elsevier), Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics) databases. Specific descriptors were selected for each of them and respective search strategies were created. The languages considered were English, Portuguese and Spanish. The ILR period was indeterminate. For the study selection, the Ryyan tool was used and allowed two of the authors to independently include, exclude or remain undecided, disagreements were solved by a third party. The selected articles have been ranked according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). And for interpretation of results, the articles were grouped by similarity and categorized into author, country year, level of evidence, objectives and results, conclusion and recommendation. Results: 415 studies were identified and 10 were included in the review. The main outcome was the topical treatment of ulcers, the vulnerabilities and the determinants that afflict those affected by leprosy were not studied. Conclusion: There is no strong evidence on therapies for the treatment of leprosy-induced leg ulcers that support the reduction of disabling sequel caused by disease perpetuating stigma and social inequality.