Determination of patients' ability to recognize interdigital lesions in bancroftian filariasis: Self-examination versus medical doctor examination

This comparative study investigated how accurately a selected group of patients from an endemic area for bancroftian filariasis---the city of Recife, Brazil---recognized the presence of interdigital entry lesions on their lower limbs. The investigator consulted the medical charts from a sample of 119 patients and compared their self-exam results with the doctor's examinations of the same patients. The statistical analysis indicated a significant difference between the patients' perceptions and the medical doctor's perceptions as regard to the presence of interdigital lesions on the lower limbs. This finding indicates the importance of addressing lesion identification when designing public health programs. These programs aim to educate the public on preventing the development of lymphedema, which can and often does progress to elephantiasis of the lower limbs.