The study aims to further validate the use of thermography in leprosy diagnosis and monitoring of nerve impairment.
Thermographic assessment of autonomic innervation in Leprosy
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Project summary
Leprosy affects the nerve function of the affected body parts. The changes can be felt as weakness in muscles, unable to feel, touch, and dryness mainly in hands and feet. It is easy to monitor muscle weakness and loss of sensation but not the dryness in hands and feet. There are previous studies that correlate skin temperature and skin nerve activity. There have been great advances in infrared thermography in recent years and has been used in various clinical diagnoses.
We can use thermography or electric conductance of the skin to quantify neurological function. Research has proven that thermography can measure disruptions in skin temperature and can be used as an assessment tool for diagnosing neuropathy. The study is designed and aims to further validate the use of thermography in leprosy diagnosis and monitoring of nerve impairment. Thermography is an easy and noninvasive tool that aids in the diagnosis and early detection of nerve impairment in leprosy.