The leprosy registry was the first national patient registry established in Norway. Founded in 1856, it formed a part of the programme for the control of leprosy which at that time was a major health problem in the country. Through the collection of detailed case histories on all leprosy patients from 1856 until today, the registry came to play a significant role in the control of the disease in the local districts. Analyses of the total registry material made it possible to evaluate trends in prevalence and thus to make plans for medical care facilities and for any changes in the control programme that proved necessary from time to time. The experience gained by the leprosy registry over the years has made a great impact on further developments in disease control in Norway. In particular, the history of the leprosy registry has demonstrated beyond doubt the usefulness of central patient registries in the solution of public health problems.
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Irgens et al. (1973) studied this question.