Disability Measurement for Lymphatic Filariasis: A Review of Generic Tools Used within Morbidity Management Programs

Lynne Zeldenryk,Richard Speare,Wayne Melrose,Susan Gordon,Marion Gray

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0001768

Lynne Zeldenryk, Richard Speare + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001768

Copy DOI

Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis (LF)-related disability affects 40 million people globally, making LF the leading cause of physical disability in the world. Despite this, there is limited research into how the impacts of LF-related disability are best measured. This article identifies the tools currently being used to measure LF-related disability and reviews their applicability against the known impacts of LF. The findings from the review show that the generic disability tools currently used by LF programs fail to measure the majority of known impacts of LF-related disability. The findings from the review support the development of an LF-specific disability measurement tool and raise doubt about the suitability of generic disability tools to assess disability related to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) globally.

Highlights

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is caused by three filarial nematodes: Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, and most commonly, Wucheria bancrofti [1]
120 million people have LF and 1.34 billion people are at risk within endemic regions (65% within South-East Asia, 30% in the African region, and the remaining in other tropical regions) [2]
The report summarized the work of the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF)’s first decade, which was focused on implementing mass drug administration (MDA) across all LF endemic regions

Summary

Introduction

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is caused by three filarial nematodes: Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, and most commonly, Wucheria bancrofti [1]. LF can cause severe lymphoedema of limbs and genitalia, scrotal hydrocele, rheumatic, and respiratory problems [4]. Lymphoedema affects approximately 15 million people, whilst scrotal hydrocele affects approximately 25 million men globally [2]. The Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) recently released their progress report for 2000–2009 [2]. Only 26 of the 81 endemic countries have morbidity programs [2]. These programs focus on hygiene, skin care, hydrocele surgery, and exercises [5]. The GPELF plan for 2010–2020 highlights the need for the establishment of morbidity management programs in all endemic regions. The plan identifies the need for the development of metrics to monitor and report on the outcomes of these programs [2]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion