Shingles (varicella zoster) outbreaks in patients with hyperparathyroidism and their relationship to hypercalcemia.
Shingles (varicella zoster) can be a presenting symptom of hyperparathyroidism and occurs twice as often (rate, 3.7%) among patients with hypercalcemia than in age-matched cohorts of patients >40 years of age who have normal calcium levels. The incidence of shingles increased in a linear fashion, from an annual rate of 1.5% among patients with serum calcium levels <10.5 mg/dL to 11% among patients whose calcium levels reached 13 mg/dL (P<.05), a rate that is 6 times greater than that among age-matched historical control individuals (P<.05).
Norman
James
J
Norman Parathyroid Clinic, Tampa, Florida 33613, USA. jnorman@parathyroid.com
Politz
Douglas
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000150:complications*; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000150:complications*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D002118:Calcium