Epidemiologic features of patients affected by herpes zoster: database analysis of the Ferrara University Dermatology Unit, Italy.
OBJECTIVE
The recent authorization and commercialization in the USA of a "Zoster vaccine" with high antigenic titer opens interesting perspectives of prevention against herpes zoster (HZ). This disease is characterized by a vesicular rash with dermatomeric extension and by moderate to severe pain. Many patients present with post-herpetic neuralgia. In Italy, complete and recent epidemiological data are not available.


METHODS
We evaluated the epidemiological features of patients presenting with HZ observed at the Ferrara University Dermatology unit from 2000 to 2008. The following data were collected: gender, age, residence, date and place of consultation, localization, and therapy.


RESULTS
The place of consultation was often (43%) not specified; in the remaining 57% of cases, patients were sent from general and ophthalmology emergency rooms. The most frequent localizations were: 32% ophthalmic; 16.5% thoracic; 16% facial. Most patients were treated with oral antiviral drugs for seven days. According to localization and severity, topical or oral antibiotics, analgesics, neurotrophic drugs were prescribed.


CONCLUSIONS
This data, although not representative of all cases in the province of Ferrara, confirmed the epidemiological impact of Zoster, which brings a number of patients to use the hospital and specialized structures for diagnosis and cure.
Gabutti
G
G
University of Ferrara, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hygiene and Occupational Health Unit, Via Fossato di Mortara 64b, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. giovanni.gabutti@unife.it
Serenelli
C
C
Sarno
O
O
Marconi
S
S
Corazza
M
M
Virgili
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003880:Dermatology; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult