Incidence and costs of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in German adults aged ≥50 years: A prospective study. Issue 5 (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmidt-Ott, Ruprecht; Schutter, Ulf; Simon, Jörg; Nautrup, Barbara Poulsen; von Krempelhuber, Alfred; Gopala, Kusuma; Anastassopoulou, Anastassia; Guignard, Adrienne; Curran, Desmond; Matthews, Sean; Espié, Emmanuelle
• Is Part Of: Journal of infection. Volume 76:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 475
• Page End: 482
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) -- Herpes zoster (HZ) -- Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN); CI confidence interval -- GP general practitioner -- HCS healthcare system -- HZ herpes zoster -- OR odds ratio -- PHN postherpetic neuralgia -- PY person-years -- VZV varicella zoster virus -- YOA years of age -- ZBPI zoster brief pain inventory; Infection -- Periodicals; Bacterial Infections -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2018.02.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-4453

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Herpes zoster (HZ) mainly affects elderly people and immunocompromised individuals. HZ is usually characterized by a unilateral painful skin rash. Its most common complication, postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), may cause chronic debilitating pain. This study aimed to estimate the HZ incidence in individuals aged ≥50 years in Germany, the proportion of PHN and the economic burden. Methods: From 2010 to 2014, HZ patients were recruited when consulting physicians in physician networks covering about 157, 000 persons aged ≥50 years. PHN was defined as "worst pain" rated ≥3 on the zoster brief pain inventory persisting or appearing over 90 days after rash onset. Costs were calculated based on medical resource utilization and lost working time. Results: HZ incidence was estimated as 6.7/1000 person-years, increasing with age to 9.4/1000 in ≥80 year-olds. Among 513 HZ patients enrolled, the proportion of PHN was 11.9%, rising with age to 14.3% in HZ patients ≥80 years. Estimated total cost per HZ patient was €156 from the healthcare system perspective and €311 from the societal perspective. Conclusions: The study confirmed previous findings that HZ causes a substantial clinical and economic burden in older German adults. It also confirmed the age-related increasing risk of HZ and PHN.