The Economic Burden of Herpes Zoster in Individuals Aged 50 Years or Older and Those With Underlying Conditions in Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Risk of herpes zoster (HZ) infection increases with age and immunosuppression. We estimated the impact of HZ and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) on direct costs and health care resource utilization (HCRU) in patients ≥50 years, including those with comorbidities, as limited information exists in Italy.

Methods

This retrospective analysis used reimbursement data from local health authorities in Italy (January 2009-June 2022). Cases of HZ and PHN identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes and drug prescriptions were characterized and followed up for 1 year before and after the index date. The direct HCRU costs for patients with HZ/PHN were compared with those for patients without HZ/PHN.

Results

Of the to

SUBMITTER: Zarkadoulas E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11773188 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature