title: Impact of Underlying Conditions on Zoster-Related Pain and on Quality of Life Following Zoster.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic conditions have been investigated as risk factors for developing zoster, but in patients suffering from zoster, the impact of underlying conditions in zoster-related pain and quality of life (QOL) remains unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a post hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study in immunocompetent zoster patients aged 50 years or older, conducted by general practitioners in Italy between 2009 and 2010. Zoster symptoms, pain intensity and characteristics, and physical and mental health scores were assessed at baseline (zoster diagnosis) and at 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 413 patients enrolled in the study, 73% (303/413) suffered from underlying conditions of which 69% (209/303) were aged 65 or older. Cardiovascular diseases (75%), diabetes (24%), and respiratory diseases (17%) were most frequent. One to three months after onset, zoster patients with underlying conditions experienced more intense zoster-related pain than those without. QOL scores were significantly lower in patients with underlying conditions, and age-adjusted difference in QOL scores between the groups increased over time, demonstrating a slower recovery for patients with underlying conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In addition to age, the main risk factor of zoster occurrence and severity, the presence of underlying conditions results in more painful and impactful zoster episodes, creating a significant burden for these patients.
authors: Sanofi Pasteur MSD, Lyon, France.
authors: Laurence
authors: L
authors: Torcel-Pagnon
authors: Sanofi Pasteur MSD, Lyon, France.
authors: Hélène
authors: H
authors: Bricout
authors: Sanofi Pasteur MSD, Lyon, France.
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Bertrand
authors: Sanofi Pasteur MSD, Roma, Italy.
authors: Emilia
authors: E
authors: Perinetti
authors: Dipartimento di Biomedicina e Prevenzione-Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy.
authors: Elisabetta
authors: E
authors: Franco
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche-Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Gabutti
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Medicina Traslazionale-Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Volpi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: Chronic diseases; Daily life activities; Post-herpetic neuralgia