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. 2012 Aug;20(4):441-451.
doi: 10.1007/s10389-011-0481-8. Epub 2011 Dec 30.

The impact of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia on quality of life: patient-reported outcomes in six European countries

Kati Lukas, Alexander Edte, Isabelle Bertrand

The impact of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia on quality of life: patient-reported outcomes in six European countries

Kati Lukas et al. Z Gesundh Wiss. 2012 Aug.

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the impact of an entire episode of herpes zoster (HZ) or post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) on an individual's quality of life (QoL). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Individuals aged ≥50 years with painful HZ in the previous 5 years were identified across six European countries (Spain, Portugal, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and Switzerland). They participated in a survey comprising bespoke questions to evaluate their previous HZ/PHN episode. RESULTS: A total of 1,005 individuals participated, 874 (87%) having had HZ, and 13% having had PHN. Generally, pain and QoL outcomes were similar irrespective of when HZ was diagnosed (≤12 versus 13-60 months) and age (50-59 versus ≥60 years). Mean pain scores were significantly higher in those with PHN versus HZ both on average (7.2 versus 6.4) and at worst (8.3 versus 7.4). PHN had a significantly higher impact on patients' perception of their overall QoL, with 37% reporting a high impact (HZ: 19%). Pain restrictions in the following QoL domains significantly impacted on the respondents' perception of QoL: enjoyment of life (level of impact, 31%), general activity (29%), mood (25%), sleep (8%) and walking ability (8%), and were significantly higher in those with PHN than in those with HZ. Sleep was the area worst affected. CONCLUSION: HZ, and particularly PHN, is associated with considerable levels of pain that have a significant impact on the QoL of participants across six European countries.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Interference of herpes zoster (HZ) pain/post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) on seven aspects of quality of daily life. Pain interference measured on a scale of 0 (‘does not interfer’) to 10 (‘completely interferes’) with activity. *p < 0.1 for those with PHN versus all respondents and those with HZ
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Overall impact of herpes zoster (HZ) pain/post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) on quality of daily life. Pain interference with overall quality of life on a scale of 0 (‘not affected at all’) to 10 (‘highly affected’). Proportion of those with high impact (score 8–10), medium impact (score 4–7) and low impact (score 0–3) across six European countries. *p < 0.1 for those with PHN versus all respondents and versus those with HZ
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