Leprosy in the Union Territory of Delhi.

One hundred and seventy seven patients of leprosy residing in Delhi comprised 16.4% of the total Urban Leprosy Centre attendance in a three-year retrospective study with a M:F ratio of 3:1. The average age at onset of disease was 28.75% years and childhood leprosy was only 6.78%. The cases of pauci- and multibacillary leprosy were almost evenly distributed. Borderline leprosy (including BT, BB & BL of Ridley-Jopling classification) comprised the largest single group with 51.42%, followed by Lepromatous with 21.47%. In 90% cases the high probability of acquiring infection during period of stay in the city and the involvement of lower age-group are pointers towards the endemic nature of the disease in the region.