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. 2011 Feb;86(2):88-93.
doi: 10.4065/mcp.2010.0618. Epub 2011 Jan 10.

Herpes zoster recurrences more frequent than previously reported

Barbara P Yawn  1 , Peter C Wollan, Marge J Kurland, Jennifer L St Sauver, Patricia Saddier
Affiliations

Herpes zoster recurrences more frequent than previously reported

Barbara P Yawn et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2011 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: To present population-based estimates of herpes zoster (HZ) recurrence rates among adults.

Patients and methods: To identify recurrent cases of HZ, we reviewed the medical records (through December 31, 2007) of all Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents aged 22 years or older who had an incident case of HZ between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2001. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models were used to describe recurrences by age, immune status, and presence of prolonged pain at the time of the incident HZ episode.

Results: Of the 1669 persons with a medically documented episode of HZ, 95 had 105 recurrences (8 persons with >1 recurrence) by December 31, 2007, an average follow-up of 7.3 years. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the recurrence rate at 8 years was 6.2%. With a maximum follow-up of 12 years, the time between HZ episodes in the same person varied from 96 days to 10 years. Recurrences were significantly more likely in persons with zoster-associated pain of 30 days or longer at the initial episode (hazard ratio, 2.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.84-4.27; P<.001) and in immunocompromised individuals (hazard ratio, 2.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-4.08; P=.006). Women and anyone aged 50 years or older at the index episode also had a greater likelihood of recurrence.

Conclusion: Rates of HZ recurrence appear to be comparable to rates of first HZ occurrence in immunocompetent individuals, suggesting that recurrence is sufficiently common to warrant investigation of vaccine prevention in this group.

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Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.
Incidence of herpes zoster recurrence since index episode, by sex.
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 2.
Incidence of herpes zoster recurrence since index episode, by immune status at index episode.
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 3.
Incidence of herpes zoster recurrence since index episode, by pain duration at index episode.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Frequency of herpes zoster recurrence.
    Volpi A, Gatti A, Pica F. Volpi A, et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2011 Jun;86(6):586; author reply 586-7. doi: 10.4065/mcp.2011.0096. Mayo Clin Proc. 2011. PMID: 21628622 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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