Predictors of postherpetic neuralgia in patients with herpes zoster: A pooled analysis of prospective cohort studies from North and Latin America and Asia
Journal
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Journal Volume
34
Pages
126-131
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Kawai K.
Rampakakis E.
Cheong H.J.
Dhitavat J.
Covarrubias A.O.
Yang L.
Cashat-Cruz M.
Monsanto H.
Johnson K.
Sampalis J.S.
Acosta C.J.
Abstract
Objectives: The most common complication of herpes zoster (HZ) is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a persistent pain that can substantially affect quality of life (QoL). This analysis aimed to evaluate predictors of PHN in HZ patients. Methods: A pooled analysis of prospective cohort studies of HZ patients aged ?50 years from North America (Canada), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina), and Asia (Taiwan, South Korea, and Thailand) was performed. Patients within 14 days of rash onset were included. The incidence of PHN was defined as a worst pain score of ?3, persisting/appearing at >90 days after rash onset. Socio-demographics, HZ disease characteristics, treatment, pain-related interference with activities of daily living, and health-related QoL were assessed. Results: Of 702 patients with HZ, 148 (21.1%) developed PHN. Similar risks of PHN were observed across geographic regions. On multivariate analysis, older age, greater severity of pain at rash onset, employment status, walking problems at enrollment, and pain interference affecting social relationships were significantly associated with the development of PHN. Conclusions: In addition to older age and severe acute pain, this study suggests that impaired physical and social functioning from acute zoster pain may play a role in the development of PHN in this prospective cohort study of HZ patients from North and Latin America and Asia. ? 2015.
Other Subjects
adult; aged; Article; Asia; cohort analysis; daily life activity; female; herpes zoster; human; incidence; major clinical study; male; middle aged; North America; pain assessment; postherpetic neuralgia; prospective study; quality of life; rash; South and Central America; Argentina; Brazil; Canada; Exanthema; herpes zoster; Mexico; multivariate analysis; Neuralgia, Postherpetic; pain measurement; South Korea; Taiwan; Thailand; Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Argentina; Brazil; Canada; Exanthema; Female; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Incidence; Male; Mexico; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Neuralgia, Postherpetic; Pain Measurement; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Republic of Korea; Taiwan; Thailand
Publisher
Elsevier
Type
journal article