title: Use of S-LANSS, a tool for screening neuropathic pain, for predicting postherpetic neuralgia in patients after acute herpes zoster events: a single-center, 12-month, prospective cohort study.
abstract: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is one of the most severe sequelae of herpes zoster events. Several risk factors have been reported for PHN, including old age, severe skin rash, and intense pain. This study therefore aims to evaluate the usefulness of the Self-completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain scale (S-LANSS) in conjunction with previously reported risk factors for predicting PHN. A group of herpes zoster patients (N = 305) were included in the cohort study. Subjects were asked for their demographic information, clinical symptoms and signs, intensity of pain by visual analog scale (VAS), and S-LANSS. They were followed up in clinical visits or via telephone for 12 months. Nineteen patients (6.2%) suffered from PHN in this study. Using logistic regression, 3 risk factors for PHN were identified: age ≥70 years, high VAS scores, and high S-LANSS scores. Prediction of PHN using VAS (≥8) and S-LANSS (≥15) criteria achieved a sensitivity of 78.9% and specificity of 78.0%. Prediction of PHN in elderly patients (≥70 years), using the criteria of VAS (≥6) and S-LANSS (≥15) as well, achieved 100% sensitivity and 57.1% specificity. S-LANSS could be a useful prediction tool for PHN, particularly if combined with previously well-known risk factors and VAS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among acute herpes zoster patients, subjects with characteristics of neuropathic pain showed high frequency of PHN. The tools for screening neuropathic pain like S-LANSS could be helpful for predicting PHN and enabling early intervention of pain management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo Ick
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Cheol Heon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Hwaseong, Korea.
authors.forename: Gyeong-Hun
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chun Wook
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address: hyeonekim@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hye One
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Herpes zoster; S-LANSS; neuropathic pain; postherpetic neuralgia; screening tool