Risk Factors and Complications in Herpes Zoster Patients at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya

Highlights: The highest distribution of HZ patients’ age and gender was between 46-55 years old and females. The highest distribution of HZ patients’ risk factors was hypertension associated with other risk factors. The highest distribution of HZ patients’ complications was PHN. Abstract Introduction: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a painful dermatomal rash caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Risk factors for HZ include age, gender, previous varicella infection, immunocompromised status, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and varicella vaccination. Complications include post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), Ramsay Hunt syndrome, meningoencephalitis, vasculopathy, and varicella pneumonia. This study aimed to determine risk factors and complications in HZ patients and assist in improving prevention to reduce the prevalence of HZ patients at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. Methods: This descriptive, retrospective study used secondary data from medical records of HZ patients at the Dermatology Clinic of Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia, from 2019 to 2021. Statistical analysis was performed using the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Results: Among 105 cases, HZ was more prevalent in females (61 patients, 58.1%), with the highest incidence in the 46–55 years old age group (33 patients, 31.04%). The thoracic nerve was the most commonly affected (58 patients, 55.2%). Hypertension was the most common risk factor (26 patients, 24.7%), followed by diabetes mellitus/DM (15 patients, 14.3%) and autoimmune conditions (7 patients, 6.7%). Most patients had no comorbidities (33 patients, 31.4%). PHN was the most common complication (19 patients, 18.1%), while 78 patients (74.3%) experienced no complications. Conclusion: HZ was more prevalent among females, with hypertension being the most significant risk factor and PHN the most common complication.