Evaluation of Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients Diagnosed with Herpes Zoster

Objective: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections result in two distinct clinical entities: varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (HZ). VZV, the causative agent of chickenpox, remains latent in the dorsal root or cranial nerve ganglia and reactivates due to suppression of the cellular immune system, leading to HZ. Risk factors for HZ include advanced age, stress, concomitant infections, use of immunosuppressive drugs, and comorbid conditions. This study retrospectively evaluates patients diagnosed with HZ who presented to our hospital. The aim is to determine the frequency of herpes zoster based on age, gender, season, and months, as well as the accompanying diseases, complications, and treatments provided. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with HZ (ICD10 code B02) who presented to our hospital’s dermatology outpatient clinic between December 1, 2022, and November 30, 2023, were included in this study using our hospital's automation system. Results: A total of 211 patients were included in the study, consisting of 115 women (54.50%) and 96 men (45.50%), with a female/male ratio of 1.19. The average age of the patients diagnosed with HZ was found to be 53.38 years. It was observed that HZ occurred more frequently in march (12.32%), august (11.37%), and april (9.95%), and seasonally, it was more common in the spring (29.86%). The most commonly affected body region was the trunk (54.5%), and the most frequently involved dermatome was thoracic (46.4%). The most common comorbidities in patients diagnosed with HZ were hypertension (32.05%) and diabetes mellitus (12.82%). The most frequently administered treatment was valacyclovir (47.87%). Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) was observed in 37 patients (17.53%) with HZ. Conclusion: As the frequency of HZ increases with age, early recognition and treatment are crucial for reducing pain, viral spread, and complications. There is a need for large-scale studies on the clinical and demographic data of HZ.