Treatment of elephantiasis in a community with timorian filariasis

Abstract

To elucidate the issue of lymphoedema and elephantiasis in our previous reports, all data on the two clinical conditions have been reviewed and analysed. The various characteristics of the swelling are described and factors that may influence the outcome of treatment with diethylcarbamazine (DEC) analysed. The results showed that all cases with lymphoedema could be treated with DEC, irrespective of the size of the swelling, and that in most cases the swelling disappeared within one year. On the other hand, it required at least two to four years for most swelling to disappear in people with elephantiasis. Elephantiasis of the arms was easier to treat than of the legs. Bilateral elephantiasis of the legs were more difficult to treat than unilateral elephantiasis. Elephantiasis of less than three to five years' duration were easier to treat than that of longer duration. Individuals with a higher grade of elephantiasis were more difficult to treat than those with a lower grade of elephantiasis. The age and sex of patients did not influence the outcome of treatment.