Herpes zoster incidence in adults aged ≥ 20 years in Finland, 2015 to 2023: a population-based register study.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUNDHerpes zoster, also known as shingles, is a painful skin condition caused by varicella zoster virus. Information is lacking on incidence of herpes zoster in Finland.AIMTo estimate age-specific annual incidence of herpes zoster over 9 years with data from several nationwide health registers.METHODSIn a nationwide study, we compiled a dataset encompassing the entire Finnish population by linking data from multiple population-based registers for 2015-23. The dataset includes records from nearly all healthcare providers in Finland. Case definitions were based on ICD-10 codes B02 and G53.0, and ICPC-2 code S70. The dataset was supplemented with information on the purchase of prescribed antiviral medication.RESULTSIn total, 220,693 herpes zoster cases were identified during 2015-23 amo

SUBMITTER: Juutinen A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12413605 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature