title: Measuring herpes zoster, zoster-associated pain, post-herpetic neuralgia-associated loss of quality of life, and healthcare utilization and costs in Thailand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to measure the herpes zoster-associated burden of illness, healthcare utilization, and costs among Thai patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective cohort study of 180 patients aged ≥ 50 years and healthy, or ≥ 20 years and immunosuppressed, with zoster rash, was conducted in Bangkok and its environs, Thailand, during 2007-2008. Each patient was followed for six months for zoster-associated rash, pain, quality of life (QoL), and healthcare utilization and costs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 180 subjects were enrolled in the study. Their mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 58.9 ± 13.8 years. Of the 180 patients enrolled, 138 (76.7%), 34 (18.9%) and eight (4.4%) patients were elderly, HIV-infected, and receiving immunosuppressive agents, respectively; 35 (19.4%) had post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), and 13 (7.2%) had zoster ophthalmicus. The severity of zoster pain was moderately highly correlated with activities of daily living (ADL), at 0.68 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.76. Most patients required only one or two outpatient visits. The mean ± SD total of direct healthcare costs was 3083.4 ± 5047.0 Thai baht or ∼ 1.1% of annual income per capita.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Herpes zoster contributes a significant burden of illness to both patients and the wider community.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kobkul
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aunhachoke
authors.forename: Valai
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bussaratid
authors.forename: Pornchai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chirachanakul
authors.forename: Boosbun
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chua-Intra
authors.forename: Jittima
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dhitavat
authors.forename: Kanokporn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jaisathaporn
authors.forename: Jaranit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaewkungwal
authors.forename: Kowit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kampirapap
authors.forename: Thiravud
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Khuhaprema
authors.forename: Kulprapat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pairayayutakul
authors.forename: Punnee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pitisuttithum
authors.forename: Jirot
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sindhvananda
authors.forename: Yupin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Thaipisuttikul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D010879:Piperazines; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: C523280:AD 101; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D009536:Niacinamide