by Bailey F, Mondragon-Shem K, Haines LR, Olabi A, Alorfi A, Ruiz-Postigo JA, Alvar J, Hotez P, Adams ER, Vélez ID, Al-Salem W, Eaton J, Acosta-Serrano A, Molyneux DH. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2019, doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007092
Summary: Major depressive disorder (MDD) associated with chronic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) has been identified as a significant and overlooked contributor to overall disease burden. The characteristic residual scarring (inactive CL) following almost all cases of active cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has recently been recognised as part of the CL disease spectrum due to its lasting psychosocial impact. The authors performed a systematic review of the psychosocial impact of active and inactive CL and estimated the prevalence of MDD. Upon inclusion of co-morbid MDD alone in both active and inactive CL, the DALY burden was seven times higher than the latest 2016 Global Burden of Disease study estimates, which notably omitted both psychological impact and inactive CL.
