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. 2022 Feb;11(1):501-516.
doi: 10.1007/s40121-021-00581-w. Epub 2022 Jan 7.

A Cross-Sectional Concept Elicitation Study to Understand the Impact of Herpes Zoster on Patients' Health-Related Quality of Life

Desirée Van Oorschot  1 , Ashleigh McGirr  2 , Philibert Goulet  3 , Patricia Koochaki  4 , Ramya Pratiwadi  5 , Selam Shah  6 , Desmond Curran  3
Affiliations

A Cross-Sectional Concept Elicitation Study to Understand the Impact of Herpes Zoster on Patients' Health-Related Quality of Life

Desirée Van Oorschot et al. Infect Dis Ther. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: After a chickenpox infection, the varicella zoster virus lies dormant in nerve cells and can be reactivated in later life to cause herpes zoster (HZ), also called shingles, a painful rash that may result in persistent postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Treatment options are limited, and HZ/PHN may have substantial negative effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This qualitative cross-sectional study explored the subjective patient experience and impact on HRQoL of HZ and PHN in adults aged ≥ 50 years in Canada.

Methods: Patients were eligible for the study if they were aged at least 50 years and had been diagnosed with HZ by a healthcare practitioner 7-60 days earlier for HZ patients and 90-365 days earlier for PHN patients. Eligible patients were invited to participate in concept elicitation interviews by telephone. Data from the interviews were transcribed and analyzed to identify key concepts related to symptoms and impacts on the patients' lives.

Results: A total of 32 patients participated, with a mean age of 61 years. Most (72%) were female. The most common symptoms reported were rash (n = 32), pain (n = 31), fatigue (n = 26), and itchiness (n = 20). The most commonly reported HRQoL domains affected were emotional functioning (n = 31), activities of daily living (n = 31), sleep (n = 29), physical functioning (n = 25) and hobbies (n = 21). A conceptual model was developed to summarize these symptoms and impacts.

Conclusion: HZ negatively affected many dimensions of patients' HRQoL, particularly during the acute phase of illness. This qualitative study helps to broaden understanding of the subjective patient experience of HZ.

Keywords: Postherpetic neuralgia; Qualitative research; Shingles.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Patient descriptions of HZ/PHN reported by at least three patients. HZ herpes zoster, PHN postherpetic neuralgia. Group A1, HZ 7–30 days post diagnosis; Group A2, HZ 31–60 days post diagnosis; Group B, PHN; 50–60, patients between 50 and 59 years of age; 60–70, patients between 60 and 69 years of age; 70–80, patients between 70 and 79 years of age
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Patient descriptions of pain. F female, HZ herpes zoster, M male, PHN postherpetic neuralgia. Group A1, HZ 7–30 days post diagnosis; Group A2, HZ 31–60 days post diagnosis; Group B, PHN; 50–60, patients between 50 and 59 years of age; 60–70, patients between 60 and 69 years of age; 70–80, patients between 70 and 79 years of age. *Words and/or phrases reported by < 6 patients not included
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Patient descriptions of the impact of HZ/PHN on HRQoL. HRQoL health-related quality of life, HZ herpes zoster, PHN postherpetic neuralgia. Group A1, HZ 7–30 days post diagnosis; Group A2, HZ 31–60 days post diagnosis; Group B, PHN; 50–60, patients between 50 and 59 years of age; 60–70, patients between 60 and 69 years of age; 70–80, patients between 70 and 79 years of age
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Final conceptual model
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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