Predictors of pain intensity and persistence in a prospective Italian cohort of patients with herpes zoster: relevance of smoking, trauma and antiviral therapy

摘要: Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a common disease, characterized by rash-associated localized pain. Its main complication, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), difficult to treat and may last for months years in the wake of rash resolution. Uncertainties remain as knowledge predictors HZ-related pain, including role antiviral therapy preventing PHN ordinary clinical practice. This prospective cohort study was aimed at investigating pain intensity HZ presentation its correlates, well incidence predictors. Methods: Patients diagnosed with were consecutively enrolled network Italian General Practitioners Hospital Units health district Pescara, Italy, over two years. Uncertain cases referred microbiological investigation. Data collected through electronic case report form (e-CRFs) enrolment 1, 3, 6 12 after enrolment. Pain coded on five-degree semi-quantitative scale each time point. defined any during follow-up quantified using an area-under-thecurve (AUC) method. Results: Four hundred forty-one patients composed final sample. Mean age 58.1 (SD = 20.4 years); 43.5% males; 7.9% did not receive prescription antivirals. Intense/very intense reported 25.2% significantly associated female gender, older age, cigarette smoking, trauma and/or surgery site (logistic regression). 51.2% one month 30.0% three months. presentation, missed (generalized estimating equations model). The same factors also independent overall burden described AUC method (linear Conclusions: Smoking, traumas emerged new both persistence, opening perspectives prevention An line evidence provided efficacy reducing total burden.