Prevalence of postherpetic neuralgia after a first episode of herpes zoster: prospective study with long term follow up.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To estimate the frequency, duration, and clinical importance of postherpetic neuralgia after a single episode of herpes zoster. DESIGN:Prospective cohort study with long term follow up. SETTING:Primary health care in Iceland. PARTICIPANTS:421 patients with a single episode of herpes zoster. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Age and sex distribution of patients with herpes zoster, point prevalence of postherpetic neuralgia, and severity of pain at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and up to 7.6 years after the outbreak of zoster. RESULTS:Among patients younger than 60 years, the risk of postherpetic neuralgia three months after the start of the zoster rash was 1.8% (95% confidence interval 0.59% to 4.18%) and pain was mild in all cases. In patients 60 years and older, the risk of postherpetic neuralgia

SUBMITTER: Helgason S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC27491 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature