title: Patient education for self-referral and on-demand treatment for herpes zoster in lymphoma patients.
abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate the benefit of educating lymphoma patients in early self-diagnosis of zoster and subsequent self-referral for prompt treatment. Each of 337 patients attending an out-patient lymphoma clinic was given an explanatory leaflet and photograph about shingles when they first presented with lymphoma. One to two years following the completion of therapy for lymphoma an assessment was made on these patients using a combination of questionnaire survey and retrospective analysis of case notes. Fifty-six (16.6%) of the study population developed zoster following the diagnosis of lymphoma; 29 had had zoster prior to the diagnosis (8.6%). There was an increased incidence of herpes zoster in patients with Hodgkin's disease as compared to those with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (P < 0.01). Patients who remembered having received the shingles education leaflets were more likely to make self-referral to hospital for prompt treatment (P < 0.001). Long-term complications, eg post-herpetic neuralgia, were less prevalent in patients presenting to hospital for prompt on-demand therapy, compared to those treated in the community. Education of lymphoma patients regarding awareness of early features of zoster is beneficial in preventing complications, but the shingles information episode needs subsequent reinforcement for maximum benefit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Royal Victoria Infimary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Z T
authors.initials: ZT
authors.lastname: Maung
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Lucraft
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Proctor
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation
chemical_list: D000212:Acyclovir