title: The societal impact of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia on patients, life partners, and children of patients in Germany.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) on the daily activities of patients and family members who care for them. Some former patients and family members participated in face-to-face interviews or in a T-group meeting (qualitative phase) and some participated in telephone interviews (quantitative phase). They all expressed feelings of helplessness and frustration mixed with depression, sadness, or rage. Many of the former patients said their lives stopped, in contrast to family members who said that their lives were busy and stressful. Family members caring for patients with PHN were more psychologically stressed than those caring for patients with HZ. Although former patients appreciated the psychological and emotional support given by their family members, they underestimated the impact that their disease had on them. Former patients and their family never forgot this illness and its considerable impact on their lives, particularly when PHN occurred. We need to raise the awareness of the general public about the real life impact of HZ and PHN and their often severe, debilitating consequences and the potential benefits from vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Klinikum Ernst von Bergmann, Gastroenterology and Infectious Disease, Charlottenstr 72, 14467 Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weinke
authors.affiliation: GfK Healthcare, Nordwestring 101, 90419 Nurnberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Glogger
authors.affiliation: Sanofi Pasteur MSD, 162 Avenue Jean Jaurès, CS 50712, 69367 Lyon Cedex 07, France.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.affiliation: Sanofi Pasteur MSD, 162 Avenue Jean Jaurès, CS 50712, 69367 Lyon Cedex 07, France.
authors.forename: Kati
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lukas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone; D055815:Young Adult