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Guiraud V, Thévenet H, Boutolleau D. Detection of varicella zoster virus DNA in blood from immunocompromised patients during the week preceding the onset of herpes zoster rash. J Clin Virol 2023; 169:105609. [PMID: 37839137 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA can be detected in blood before herpes zoster (HZ) rash onset. METHOD Monocentric retrospective study from January 2019 to March 2023 including patients with HZ and stored blood samples performed during the week preceding the onset of HZ rash. Blood samples were retrospectively analyzed for VZV DNA by quantitative PCR. RESULTS Among the 138 patients with HZ during the study period, stored blood samples performed during the week preceding the onset of HZ rash were available for 13 of them. Twelve (92 %) patients were immunosuppressed, mostly due to solid organ transplantation (38 %), solid malignancy (31 %) or autoimmune disease (23 %). During the week preceding HZ onset, VZV DNA was detected in blood from 10 (77 %) patients, with a median value of 3.6 log (copies/mL) (IQR 3.3-3.9). At the time of HZ onset, all VZV PCR performed in available blood samples were positive. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrates that VZV DNA can be commonly detected in blood from immunocompromised patients during the prodromal phase of HZ. Early screening of VZV DNA in blood from high-risk immunocompromised patients might improve HZ therapeutic management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Guiraud
- Centre National de Référence Herpèsvirus (Laboratoire Associé), AP-HP. Sorbonne Université, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Virologie, Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMR-S 1136, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (iPLESP), Paris, France.
| | - Henri Thévenet
- Centre National de Référence Herpèsvirus (Laboratoire Associé), AP-HP. Sorbonne Université, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Virologie, Paris, France
| | - David Boutolleau
- Centre National de Référence Herpèsvirus (Laboratoire Associé), AP-HP. Sorbonne Université, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Virologie, Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMR-S 1136, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (iPLESP), Paris, France
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Singer D, Thompson-Leduc P, Gupta D, Poston S, Cheng WY, Ma S, Pawlowski JE, Duh MS, Devine F, Banatwala A, Bernstein E, Farraye FA. Economic and Clinical Burden of Herpes Zoster Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the United States. CROHN'S & COLITIS 360 2023; 5:otad033. [PMID: 37497018 PMCID: PMC10368335 DOI: 10.1093/crocol/otad033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) are at increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ); however, relevant cost and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) data are limited. Methods We estimated HCRU (hospitalization, emergency department [ED], and outpatient visits) and costs in patients with UC or CD, with and without HZ, using administrative claims data (October 2015-February 2020). HCRU and costs (2020 US dollars) were compared at 1 month, 1 quarter, and 1 year after the index date, using propensity score adjustment and generalized linear models. Results In total, 20 948 patients were included: UC+/HZ+ (n = 431), UC+/HZ- (n = 10 285), CD+/HZ+ (n = 435), and CD+/HZ- (n = 9797). Patients with HZ had higher all-cause HCRU rates and all-cause total healthcare costs relative to those without HZ. In the first month, adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) for hospitalizations and ED visits for patients with UC and HZ compared with UC alone were 2.87 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.93-4.27) and 2.66 (95% CI,1.74-4.05), respectively; for those with CD and HZ, aIRRs were 3.34 (95% CI, 2.38-4.70) and 3.31 (95% CI, 2.32-4.71), respectively, compared with CD alone (all P < .001). Adjusted cost differences in UC and CD cohorts with HZ over the first month were $2189 and $3774, respectively, chiefly driven by higher inpatient costs. The incremental impact on HCRU and costs in cohorts with HZ predominantly occurred during the first quarter following diagnosis. Conclusions HZ is associated with increased HCRU and costs in patients with UC and CD, especially shortly after diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Singer
- Address correspondence to: David Singer, PharmD, MS, GSK, US Health Outcomes and Epidemiology—Vaccines, FMC Tower Suite 1700, 2929 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Phone: +16465995595 ()
| | - Philippe Thompson-Leduc
- Analysis Group, Inc., Health Economics and Outcomes Research, 1190 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal, Suite 1500, Montréal, QC H3B 0G7, Canada
| | - Deepshekhar Gupta
- Analysis Group, Inc., Health Economics and Outcomes Research, 1010 El Camino Real, Suite 310, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Sara Poston
- GSK, US Health Outcomes and Epidemiology—Vaccines, FMC Tower Suite 1700, 2929 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Wendy Y Cheng
- Analysis Group, Inc., Health Economics and Outcomes Research, 111 Huntington Avenue, 14 Floor, Boston, MA 02199, USA
| | - Siyu Ma
- GSK, US Health Outcomes and Epidemiology—Vaccines, FMC Tower Suite 1700, 2929 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - John E Pawlowski
- GSK, Medical Affairs, FMC Tower Suite 1700, 2929 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mei Sheng Duh
- Analysis Group, Inc., Health Economics and Outcomes Research, 111 Huntington Avenue, 14 Floor, Boston, MA 02199, USA
| | - Francesca Devine
- Analysis Group, Inc., Health Economics and Outcomes Research, 151 West 42 Street, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10036, USA
| | - Azeem Banatwala
- Analysis Group, Inc., Health Economics and Outcomes Research, 333 South Hope Street, 27 Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071, USA
| | - Emma Bernstein
- Analysis Group, Inc., Health Economics and Outcomes Research, 111 Huntington Avenue, 14 Floor, Boston, MA 02199, USA
- Baylor University, Department of Political Science, One Bear Place #97276, Waco, TX 76798-7276, USA
| | - Francis A Farraye
- Mayo Clinic, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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A Guide to Preclinical Models of Zoster-Associated Pain and Postherpetic Neuralgia. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2022; 438:189-221. [PMID: 34524508 DOI: 10.1007/82_2021_240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes herpes zoster (HZ), which is commonly accompanied by acute pain and pruritus over the time course of a zosteriform rash. Although the rash and associated pain are self-limiting, a considerable fraction of HZ cases will subsequently develop debilitating chronic pain states termed postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). How VZV causes acute pain and the mechanisms underlying the transition to PHN are far from clear. The human-specific nature of VZV has made in vivo modeling of pain following reactivation difficult to study because no single animal can reproduce reactivated VZV disease as observed in the clinic. Investigations of VZV pathogenesis following primary infection have benefited greatly from human tissues harbored in immune-deficient mice, but modeling of acute and chronic pain requires an intact nervous system with the capability of transmitting ascending and descending sensory signals. Several groups have found that subcutaneous VZV inoculation of the rat induces prolonged and measurable changes in nociceptive behavior, indicating sensitivity that partially mimics the development of mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia seen in HZ and PHN patients. Although it is not a model of reactivation, the rat is beginning to inform how VZV infection can evoke a pain response and induce long-lasting alterations to nociception. In this review, we will summarize the rat pain models from a practical perspective and discuss avenues that have opened for testing of novel treatments for both zoster-associated pain and chronic PHN conditions, which remain in critical need of effective therapies.
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Incidence of complications of herpes zoster in individuals on immunosuppressive therapy: A register-based population study. J Infect 2022; 84:531-536. [PMID: 35016899 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Herpes zoster (HZ) exposes to alterations of the quality-of-life. HZ is more frequent in immunocompromised individuals, but whether immunosuppression is associated with a higher rate of complications is not well documented. We aimed to assess association between drug-induced immunosuppression and HZ complications. METHODS Data from a sample of the French healthcare claims from 01/01/2006 to 12/31/2018 were analyzed. Complicated zoster (CZ) was defined as a hospitalization with a code for HZ or the first-time dispensation of high-dose valacyclovir and specific neuralgia analgesics. Drug-induced immunosuppression was identified through medication dispensation. Risk ratios were calculated to compare incidences in exposed individuals (EI) and non-exposed to immunosuppressive therapy (NEI). RESULTS We identified 227 and 2838 CZ, accounting for an incidence of 178 per 100,000 person-year (95%CI[154.9-201.1]) and 51.7 per 100,000 person-year (95%CI[49.8-53.6]), in EI and NEI, respectively (risk ratio: 3.44 (95%CI[3.01-3.94]). Mean age was 66 years in both groups. CZ occurred after a median of 11.7 months (IQR[5.3-49.9]) of immunosuppressive therapy. Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) lasted at least 3 months in 32.6% and 22.5% of cases in EI and NEI, respectively (p=.01). CONCLUSIONS Drug-induced immunosuppression increases the risk of CZ and exposes to longer-lasting PHN. Figures provided in this study could help guide prophylaxis of HZ.
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Cebeci D, Karasel S. Retrospective Analysis of 170 Patients Followed up with Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia in Nothern Cyprus. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2021.6251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes zoster is viral infection that occurs with reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It is usually a painful but self-limited dermatomal rash with cutaneous distribution. Although it's usually a painful, self-limiting rash, it can be much more serious; In addition, acute cases often lead to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and seriously impair quality of life. It is important to recognize those at risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia, early treatment and prevent complications.
Objectives :Our aim is to determine the clinical features of our herpes zoster diseases and to review the treatments in patients with postherpetic neuralgia.
Methods: A search for HZ and PHN was conducted in a general practice research database, comprising 2 general practices( dermatologist and physatrist) and representing 5600 people. We analyzed a retrospective 170 case series of pediatirc and adults addmited to the dermatology and physical therapy and rehabilitation outpatient clinic between October 2018 and October 2020.
Results: A total of 170 new cases had been diagnosed with HZ in the dermatology and physical therapy and rehabilitation clinics over 2 years . Female to male ratio was 2:1 and the age ranged from 5 years to 88 years. The thoracic dermatomes were the most commonly involved. The risk of developing PHN 1 month after the start of the zoster rash was 21 %. Independent risk indicators for the occurrence of PHN were age [55–74] years.
Conclusion : The risk of developing PHN increases with age and with commorbitity. Preventive strategies such as vaccination should focus on patients with herpes zoster aged >55 years.
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McElhaney JE, Verschoor C, Pawelec G. Zoster Vaccination in Older Adults: Efficacy and Public Health Implications. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2020; 74:1239-1243. [PMID: 30945744 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glz085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Shingles and its most common disabling complication, post-herpetic neuralgia, represent a serious public health challenge in the older population. The decline in the T-cell-mediated immune response to varicella zoster virus after age 50 is clearly associated with increased risk of viral reactivation, causing an acutely painful zoster rash, which may have a severe prodrome of dermatomal pain and persist as seriously debilitating post-herpetic neuralgia well beyond the resolution of the rash. However, new vaccines and adjuvants are being developed and trialed and are now more effective in preventing shingles and the sequelae of post-herpetic neuralgia. Those vaccines that possess the ability to enhance antigen presentation and reverse memory T-cell exhaustion, as well as diminish the immune suppressive effects of regulatory T cells, are most likely to be effective in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chris Verschoor
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, Ontario.,McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Graham Pawelec
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, Ontario.,Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Functional decline and herpes zoster in older people: an interplay of multiple factors. Aging Clin Exp Res 2015; 27:757-65. [PMID: 26440662 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-015-0450-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Herpes zoster is a frequent painful infectious disease whose incidence and severity increase with age. In older people, there is a strong bidirectional link between herpes zoster and functional decline, which refers to a decrement in ability to perform activities of daily living due to ageing and disabilities. However, the exact nature of such link remains poorly established. Based on the opinion from a multidisciplinary group of experts, we here propose a new model to account for the interplay between infection, somatic/psychiatric comorbidity, coping skills, polypharmacy, and age, which may account for the functional decline related to herpes zoster in older patients. This model integrates the risk of decompensation of underlying disease; the risk of pain becoming chronic (e.g. postherpetic neuralgia); the risk of herpes zoster non-pain complications; the detrimental impact of herpes zoster on quality of life, functioning, and mood; the therapeutic difficulties due to multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and ageing; and the role of stressful life events in the infection itself and comorbid depression. This model underlines the importance of early treatment, strengthening coping, and vaccine prevention.
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[Recommendations for treatment and prevention of herpes zoster and associated pain in aged adults]. Rev Med Interne 2015; 37:35-42. [PMID: 26383768 DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2015.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Revised: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Initiated within the first 72 hours of the rash, prescribing antiviral drugs reduces both acute neuralgia (AN) and later complications and especially postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). But their analgesic as well as preventative effect on AN and PHN is modest. Combination with analgesic drugs is more often needed for pain management. However, the pharmacological management of pain, in the context of old patients' frailty, co-morbidities and often polypharmacy, must be carefully considered. Based on analyses of the evidences from the literature, this review presents the therapeutic options we have at one's disposal and proposes a stepwise management for both AN and PHN specifically designed for aged population.
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Tighe P, Buckenmaier CC, Boezaart AP, Carr DB, Clark LL, Herring AA, Kent M, Mackey S, Mariano ER, Polomano RC, Reisfield GM. Acute Pain Medicine in the United States: A Status Report. PAIN MEDICINE 2015; 16:1806-26. [PMID: 26535424 DOI: 10.1111/pme.12760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consensus indicates that a comprehensive,multimodal, holistic approach is foundational to the practice of acute pain medicine (APM),but lack of uniform, evidence-based clinical pathways leads to undesirable variability throughout U. S. healthcare systems. Acute pain studies are inconsistently synthesized to guide educational programs. Advanced practice techniques involving regional anesthesia assume the presence of a physician-led, multidisciplinary acute pain service,which is often unavailable or inconsistently applied.This heterogeneity of educational and organizational standards may result in unnecessary patient pain and escalation of healthcare costs. METHODS A multidisciplinary panel was nominated through the APM Shared Interest Group of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. The panel met in Chicago, IL, in July 2014, to identify gaps and set priorities in APM research and education. RESULTS The panel identified three areas of critical need: 1) an open-source acute pain data registry and clinical support tool to inform clinical decision making and resource allocation and to enhance research efforts; 2) a strong professional APM identity as an accredited subspecialty; and 3) educational goals targeted toward third-party payers,hospital administrators, and other key stake holders to convey the importance of APM. CONCLUSION This report is the first step in a 3-year initiative aimed at creating conditions and incentives for the optimal provision of APM services to facilitate and enhance the quality of patient recovery after surgery, illness, or trauma. The ultimate goal is to reduce the conversion of acute pain to the debilitating disease of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Tighe
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Varicella-zoster virus and virus DNA in the blood and oropharynx of people with latent or active varicella-zoster virus infections. J Clin Virol 2014; 61:487-95. [PMID: 25453570 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2014.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Revised: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can be detected in the blood from approximately 5 days before to 4 days after varicella. VZV DNA, primarily in T-lymphocytes, is detected as early as 8-10 days prior to rash and can persist for a week. The duration and magnitude of VZV DNAemia correlates with immune status and the efficacy of antiviral therapy. VZV DNA is also readily detected in the oropharynx just prior to rash and for 1-2 weeks thereafter. Detection of VZV DNA in blood and saliva has been useful for diagnosis and prognosis in atypical cases of varicella. Herpes zoster (HZ) is also characterized by VZV DNAemia at onset and for many weeks thereafter, and VZV DNA is present in the oropharynx shortly after HZ onset. Detection of VZV DNA in blood and saliva facilitates the diagnosis of zoster sine herpete and other atypical manifestations of VZV reactivation, such as neurologic syndromes when cerebrospinal fluid is not available, Bell's palsy, and atypical pain syndromes. VZV DNA is sometimes present in the blood and saliva of asymptomatic individuals. In total these observations extend understanding of the pathophysiology and epidemiology of VZV, and increasingly contribute to the clinical management of VZV infections.
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Tsai TF, Yao CA, Yu HS, Lan CC, Chao SC, Yang JH, Yang KC, Chen CY, White RR, Psaradellis E, Rampakakis E, Kawai K, Acosta CJ, Sampalis JS. Herpes zoster-associated severity and duration of pain, health-related quality of life, and healthcare utilization in Taiwan: a prospective observational study. Int J Dermatol 2014; 54:529-36. [PMID: 25209019 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.12484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tsen-Fang Tsai
- Department of Dermatology; National Taiwan University Hospital; Taipei Taiwan
| | - Chien-An Yao
- Department of Family Medicine; National Taiwan University Hospital; Taipei Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Su Yu
- Department of Dermatology; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Che Lan
- Department of Dermatology; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
- Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - Sheau-Chiou Chao
- Department of Dermatology; National Cheng Kung University Hospital; College of Medicine; National Cheng Kung University; Tainan Taiwan
| | - Jen-Hung Yang
- Department of Dermatology; Buddist Tzu Chi General Hospital; Tzu Chi University School of Medicine; Hualien Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology; Chung Shan Medical University Hospital; Taichung Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chia Yang
- Department of Dermatology; Changhua Christian Hospital; Changhua Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yu Chen
- Department of Family Medicine; National Taiwan University Hospital; Taipei Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | | | - John S. Sampalis
- JSS Medical Research; St-Laurent QC Canada
- McGill University; Montreal QC Canada
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Szucs TD, Pfeil AM. A systematic review of the cost effectiveness of herpes zoster vaccination. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2013; 31:125-136. [PMID: 23335045 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-012-0020-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The varicella zoster virus (VZV) can cause two infections: chickenpox or herpes zoster (HZ). Whereas chickenpox infections are normally mild but common among children, HZ infections are common among elderly people and can give rise to post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a severe and painful complication. OBJECTIVES This review aimed to summarize the literature available on the cost effectiveness of HZ vaccination and to summarize key issues for decision makers to consider when deciding on the reimbursement of HZ vaccination. METHODS We conducted a literature search of the databases PubMed and EMBASE using EndNote X4 from Thomson Reuters. The following combinations of keywords were used: 'herpes zoster vaccine' AND 'cost(-)effectiveness' or AND 'economic evaluation', 'herpes zoster vaccination' AND 'cost(-)effectiveness' or AND 'economic evaluation', 'varicella zoster vaccine' AND 'cost(-)effectiveness' or AND 'economic evaluation', and 'varicella zoster vaccination' AND 'cost(-)effectiveness' or AND 'economic evaluation'. RESULTS A total of 11 studies were identified and included. Cost-effectiveness analyses of varicella zoster vaccination were excluded. The quality of the included studies ranged from 'moderate' to 'moderate to good' according to the British Medical Journal guidelines of Drummond and Jefferson and the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) score of Ofman et al. Most studies evaluated the cost effectiveness of universal HZ vaccination in adults aged 50 years or 60 years and older. Data sources and model assumptions regarding epidemiology, utility estimates and costs varied between studies. All studies calculated costs per QALY, which allows comparing costs of interventions in different diseases. The costs per QALY gained and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) differed between studies depending on the age at vaccination, duration of vaccine efficacy, cost of vaccine course and economic perspective. All but one of the studies concluded that most vaccination scenarios are cost effective and the vaccination of specific subgroups such as the older age group is most cost effective. CONCLUSIONS Model input parameters such as age at vaccination, vaccine costs, HZ incidence, PHN length and duration of vaccine efficacy had a great impact on the estimated cost effectiveness of HZ vaccination. To compare the results of different cost-effectiveness studies of HZ vaccination, uniform methods should be used and the most important input parameters used for the different models should be critically assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Szucs
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine/European Center of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 61, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
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Drolet M, Oxman MN, Levin MJ, Schmader KE, Johnson RW, Patrick D, Mansi JA, Brisson M. Vaccination against herpes zoster in developed countries: state of the evidence. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2013; 9:1177-84. [PMID: 23324598 PMCID: PMC3899157 DOI: 10.4161/hv.23491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although progress has been made in the treatment of herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), available therapeutic options are only partially effective. Given evidence that a live-attenuated varicella-zoster-virus vaccine is effective at reducing the incidence of HZ, PHN and the burden of illness, policymakers and clinicians are being asked to make recommendations regarding the use of the zoster vaccine. In this report, we summarize the evidence regarding the: (1) burden of illness; (2) vaccine efficacy and safety; and (3) cost-effectiveness of vaccination, to assist evidence-based policy making and guide clinicians in their recommendations. First, there is general agreement that the overall burden of illness associated with HZ and PHN is substantial. Second, the safety and efficacy of the zoster vaccine at reducing the burden of illness due to HZ and the incidence of PHN have been clearly demonstrated in large placebo-controlled trials. However, uncertainty remains about the vaccine's duration of protection. Third, vaccination against HZ is likely to be cost-effective when the vaccine is given at approximately 65 y of age, if vaccine duration is longer than 10 y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Drolet
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec; Québec, QC Canada; Laval University; Québec, QC Canada
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