Costs of herpes zoster complications in older adults: A cohort study of US claims database

Skin health of community-living older people: a scoping review

The population of older people is steadily increasing and the majority live at home. Although the home and community are the largest care settings worldwide, most of the evidence on dermatological care relates to secondary and tertiary care. The overall aims were to map the available evidence regarding the epidemiology and burden of the most frequent skin conditions and regarding effects of screening, risk assessment, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of the most frequent skin conditions in older people living in the community. A scoping review was conducted. MEDLINE, Embase and Epistemonikos were systematically searched for clinical practice guidelines, reviews and primary studies, as well as Grey Matters and EASY for grey literature published between January 2010 and March 2023. Records were screened and data of included studies extracted by two reviewers, independently. Results were summarised descriptively. In total, 97 publications were included. The vast majority described prevalence or incidence estimates. Ranges of age groups varied widely and unclear reporting was frequent. Sun-exposure and age-related skin conditions such as actinic keratoses, xerosis cutis, neoplasms and inflammatory diseases were the most frequent dermatoses identified, although melanoma and/or non-melanoma skin cancer were the skin conditions investigated most frequently. Evidence regarding the burden of skin conditions included self-reported skin symptoms and concerns, mortality, burden on the health system, and impact on quality of life. A minority of articles reported effects of screening, risk assessment, diagnosis, prevention and treatment, mainly regarding skin cancer. A high number of skin conditions and diseases affect older people living at home and in the community but evidence about the burden and effective prevention and treatment strategies is weak. Best practices of how to improve dermatological care in older people remain to be determined and there is a particular need for interventional studies to support and to improve skin health at home.

Efficacy of Paravertebral Injection of Interferon-α2b Combined with High-Voltage, Long-Term Pulsed Radiofrequency in DRG in Mitigation of Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

This investigation aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the paravertebral injection of recombinant human interferon-α2b in conjunction with high-voltage, long-term, pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) in the dorsal root ganglion for the mitigation of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

METHODS

This retrospective study included 84 individuals with acute PHN. The participants were divided into 3 groups. Group H was treated with interferon-α2b combined with high-voltage long-term PRF. Group C was treated with a combination of high-voltage, long-term PRF and a paravertebral injection (without recombinant human interferon-α2b), and group I was treated with interferon-α2b only. All the patients in the 3 groups were orally administered a 5-mg morphine hydrochloride quick-release tablet when a burst of pain occurred during treatment. The numerical rating scale for pain score, the interleukin-6 and galectin-3 levels, and the incidence of PHN were documented before and after therapy.

RESULTS

The pain intensity of all individuals decreased after therapy. Compared with group C, the numerical rating scale scores for group H were significantly reduced at 4, 8, and 12 weeks following therapy, and the PHN incidence was significantly lower. Compared with prior treatment, the recommended dosage of gabapentin capsules and immediate-release morphine hydrochloride tablets was reduced for group H. Compared with group C, the requirement for orally administrated gabapentin capsules and morphine hydrochloride tablets in group H was reduced significantly after treatment. No serious adverse reactions occurred in any of the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the context of treatment of acute PHN, the injection of interferon-α2b in conjunction with high-voltage, long-term application of PRF is more effective than PRF or the injection of interferon-α2b alone.

Percutaneous Stylomastoid Foramen Pulsed Radiofrequency Combined with Steroid Injection for Treatment of Intractable Facial Paralysis After Herpes Zoster

INTRODUCTION

We investigated the safety and efficacy of percutaneous facial nerve pulsed radiofrequency combined with drug injection for treatment of intractable facial paralysis of herpes zoster. The authors provide a detailed description of percutaneous facial nerve pulsed radiofrequency combined with steroid injection for treatment of intractable facial paralysis after herpes zoster, and they examine its clinical efficacy. This is the first time in the literature to our knowledge that this procedure has been applied in facial paralysis after herpes zoster.

METHODS

A total of 43 patients with a history of facial paralysis after herpes zoster for > 1 month were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were subjected to percutaneous stylomastoid foramen pulsed radiofrequency of the facial nerve under computed tomography (CT) guidance combined with drug injection. The House-Brackmann grades and NRS (Numerical Rating Scale) data collection were performed at different time points (preoperatively, 1 day post-procedure, and 2, 4, and 12 weeks postoperatively). The occurrence of complications was also assessed.

RESULTS

The 43 participants successfully completed the CT-guided percutaneous stylomastoid foramen pulsed radiofrequency of the facial nerve combined with drug injection. Both approaches [posterior approach of the ear (7 cases) and anterior approach of the ear (36 cases)] were efficacious and safe. The House-Brackmann grades (I, II, III, IV, V, VI) were 4 (3-4), 2 (2-3), 1 (1-2), and 1 (0-2) at different operation times (T0, T1, T2, T3, T4); patients felt significant recovery at T1 after operation and had gradually recovered at each time point but had no significant recovery after T3. The NRS scores at different operation times were 2.690 ± 2.213, 0.700 ± 0.939, 0.580 ± 1.006, 0.440 ± 0.908, and 0.260 ± 0.759, respectively. Differences in NRS scores between T0 and T1/2/3/4 were significant while differences between T1 and T2/3/4 were not significant. Six patients developed mild numbness, nine patients exhibited muscle tension, while one patient exhibited facial stiffness. During surgery, there was no intravascular injection of drugs, no nerve injury was reported, and there was no local anesthetic poisoning or spinal anesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous stylomastoid foramen pulsed radiofrequency combined with drug injection of the facial nerve for treatment of intractable facial paralysis after herpes zoster is a minimally invasive technique with high rates of success, safety, and effective outcomes. It is a potential therapeutic option for cases of facial paralysis of herpes zoster with a > 1 month history even for those with severe facial paralysis and whose treatment has failed after oral medication and physiotherapy.

Economic and Clinical Burden of Herpes Zoster Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the United States

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.

Epidemiology of Herpes Zoster in Adults in Mexico: A Retrospective Database Analysis

INTRODUCTION

The risk of herpes zoster (HZ) increases with age. In countries with an ageing population such as Mexico, a rise in the risk of HZ and complications is expected. The goal of this study was to provide an updated estimate of the potential burden of HZ and associated complications in Mexico.

METHODS

A retrospective database study was performed using data from the national surveillance database of the Ministry of Health (Secretaría de Salubridad y Asistencia/Dirección General de Información en Salud). HZ cases and associated complications were identified via the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes. Emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths were extracted and analyzed by age group and year. The observation period was between 2011 and 2020 for ER visits and hospitalizations and between 2011 and 2019 for deaths. Cumulative incidence per 1000 people and case fatality rate were estimated.

RESULTS

During the observation period, 53,030 ER visits, 4172 hospitalizations, and 263 deaths due to HZ were reported nationwide. The cumulative incidence of HZ based on ER visits was 1.04 per 1000 people aged ≥ 50 years but increased in older age groups (1.47 per 1000 people aged ≥ 65 years). The most common complications were neuralgia (10.9%), ocular disease (7.0%), meningoencephalitis (2.9%), and disseminated disease (3.1%). Patients ≥ 65 years accounted for 37% of hospitalizations and 81% of deaths.

CONCLUSION

In Mexico, HZ and its complications impose a considerable burden on the population and the healthcare system. Prospective surveillance studies are required to obtain an accurate picture of the current epidemiology of HZ in Mexico and to estimate the benefits of future vaccination strategies against HZ.

Burden of opioid use for pain management among adult herpes zoster patients in the US and the potential impact of vaccination

The goal of this research was to describe treatment patterns, health-care resource utilization, and costs for herpes zoster (HZ)-related pain, and to estimate the potential impact of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) on avoided HZ cases and HZ-related pain prescriptions. This retrospective claims database study included patients from commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid plans between 2012 and 2017. Subjects with an HZ episode were assigned to three cohorts: “opioid”, “non-opioid”, and “no-treatment” cohorts. Subjects in the opioid cohort were matched to a non-HZ cohort. The potential impact of RZV vaccination on HZ case avoidance and resulting painkiller prescriptions was modeled. Over 25% of subjects with an HZ episode received opioids. Adjusted health-care costs were approximately double in the opioid cohort versus non-opioid or matched non-HZ cohorts. Postherpetic neuralgia, immunocompromised status, and comorbidities increased the risk for opioid prescription. RZV vaccination was predicted to avoid over 19,000 patients from receiving opioid prescriptions for every 1 million adults aged ≥50 years. HZ-related prescriptions of opioids were common and led to increased health care costs. RZV vaccination may potentially reduce opioid prescriptions through decreasing HZ incidence.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

What is the context?

Herpes zoster or shingles and its complications such as postherpetic neuralgia – a painful condition that affects the nerve fibers and skin – may lead to complex pain that can be addressed using opioids in some patients.

The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) vaccine prevents shingles and, therefore, may reduce the use of opioids and the negative health outcomes and costs associated with it.

What is new?

In this retrospective medical claims study, including patients between 2012 and 2017, we

evaluated the receipt of pain medication including opioids in herpes zoster patients, and assessed factors associated with opioid prescription.

estimated health care resource utilization and costs associated with opioid use among patients with herpes zoster.

assessed the impact of vaccination on opioid prescriptions.

Among subjects receiving opioids, 78.5% started with a weak opioid dose. Dose escalation was uncommon.

Postherpetic neuralgia, immunocompromised status, and comorbidities are the main risk factors associated with opioid prescription.

Health care costs are almost double in patients with herpes zoster receiving opioids compared with patients without an opioid prescription.

In a population of 1 million adults aged 50 years or older, vaccination with the recombinant zoster vaccine could prevent over 19,000 patients from receiving opioids.

What is the impact?

Prevention of herpes zoster through vaccination may be a highly effective strategy to reduce opioid prescriptions and costs related to pain management in a susceptible population.

Increasing RZV vaccination coverage in adults aged ≥50 years may further reduce potential opioid prescriptions through a decrease in shingles incidence.

Herpes Zoster Incidence and Burden in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in the U.S.: A Retrospective Database Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Data on the real-world burden of herpes zoster (HZ) in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the U.S. are limited. We assessed HZ in patients with and without T2D and measured the impact of HZ on health care resource use (HCRU) and costs.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort analysis used U.S. commercial claims data (sourced from claims incurred between 1 January 2012 and 31 July 2018). HZ incidence rates/1,000 person-years (PYs) were calculated in patients with and without T2D. HZ risk was evaluated using Poisson regression to generate adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs). Patients with T2D with HZ were propensity score matched to patients with T2D only and to patients with HZ without T2D. HCRU and costs were compared across cohorts during a 1-year follow-up period. Cox proportional hazards analyses evaluated factors associated with HZ-related complications.

RESULTS

Crude HZ incidence rates in patients with and without T2D were 9.8/1,000 PY and 2.6/1,000 PY, respectively. T2D patients were almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with HZ (aIRR 1.84; 95% CI 1.82-1.85). HZ was associated with increased HCRU and health care costs. At 12 months, unadjusted incremental all-cause health care costs for patients with T2D with HZ versus patients with T2D without HZ were $5,216. The unadjusted incremental HZ-related health care costs for patients with T2D with HZ versus patients with HZ without T2D were $2,726. Age was the most important predictor for HZ-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the increased risk of HZ and HCRU and cost burden in patients with T2D, HZ prevention in patients with T2D may be beneficial.

Vaccinations Status against Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Willingness to Be Vaccinated in an Italian Sample of Frail Subjects

BACKGROUND

Study aim was to investigate the vaccination status against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) of frail adults during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and, for those subjects eligible for at least one vaccine, with respect to the recommended vaccination in line with the Italian National Vaccination Prevention Plane (NPVP), to explore the willingness to be vaccinated.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out among adults aged ≥ 60, immunocompromised or subjects affected by chronic conditions.

RESULTS

Among the 427 participants, a vaccination coverage rate lower than the targets for all the vaccines considered was found. Of those, 72.6% of subjects stated their willingness to receive recommended vaccinations, and 75.2% of the respondents stated that the advice to undergo vaccinations was received by the General Practitioner (GP). In a multivariable logistic regression model, higher odds of recommended VPD vaccination uptake (defined as having two or more of the recommended vaccinations) were associated with the willingness towards recommended VPD vaccination (Odds Ratio = 3.55, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.39 to 9.07), university education (OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.03 to 3.97), but having another person in the household (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.97), and history of oncological disease (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.87) were predictive of lower odds of vaccination uptake. In another multivariable model, higher odds of willingness to receive vaccines were associated with kidney disease (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.01 to 10.5), perceived risk of VPD (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.02 to 3.3), previous influenza vaccination (OR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.8 to 6.5), and previous pneumococcal vaccination (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.3 to 7.7), but increasing age (OR = 0.93 per year, 95% CI: 0.91 to 0.97), working (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.78), and fear of vaccine side effects (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.68) were predictive of lower odds of willingness to receive vaccines.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite specific recommendations, vaccination coverage rates are far below international targets for frail subjects. Reducing missed opportunities for vaccination could be a useful strategy to increase vaccination coverage in frail patients during the routine checks performed by GPs and specialists.

Knowledge and Attitudes Concerning Herpes Zoster among People with COPD: An Interventional Survey Study

Herpes zoster (HZ) is common in older adults with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Effective prevention is available through vaccination, but HZ vaccine uptake remains incomplete. Using an online survey of people with self-reported COPD, ShiPPS assessed HZ risk awareness, HZ vaccine use and barriers, and the impact of an HZ educational video on vaccine intent. USA members of the COPD Foundation’s Patient-Powered Research Network aged >50 years were surveyed in fall 2020. The responses were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics. Of the 735 respondents (59.6% female, mean age 68.5 years), 192 (26.1%) reported previous HZ, of whom 49 (25.5%) reported increased COPD symptoms during HZ episodes. Most participants (94.0%) knew of HZ vaccines, but only 33.1% reported receiving the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices-preferred recombinant HZ vaccination. The recall of receiving HZ vaccine recommendations differed by the site attended: 68.8% primary care, 26.6% pulmonology offices. Most (74.7%) were unaware that COPD increases HZ risk. Among unvaccinated participants, interest in getting the HZ vaccine increased from 32.0% to 73.5% after watching the video. These results highlight the need for people with COPD to receive further HZ education, such as the five-minute video, and HZ vaccine recommendations from healthcare professionals.

Association Between Diabetes Mellitus and the Risk of Herpes Zoster: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) are susceptible to various infections.

OBJECTIVE

We estimated the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) among individuals with DM compared with individuals in the general population.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PerioPath databases from their inception to January 30, 2021, for studies on the risk of HZ in individuals with DM. Two authors independently screened all articles identified. The same 2 authors independently extracted the data. Four case-control studies and 12 cohort studies were included.

RESULTS

Meta-analyses were performed using fixed and mixed-effects models. In the pooled analysis, individuals with DM had a higher risk of developing HZ (pooled relative risk [RR]: 1.38; 95% CI, 1.21-1.57) than individuals in the general population. The results were consistent in subgroup analyses stratified by type of diabetes, age, and study design. In individuals with DM, cardiovascular disease had an additive effect on increasing the risk of HZ (pooled RR: 1.19; 95% CI, 1.11-1.28). There was a linear dose-response association between age and the risk of HZ in individuals with DM.

CONCLUSION

Individuals with DM have an increased risk of HZ compared with the general population. Varicella vaccination should be provided to individuals with DM regardless of their age, prioritizing older adults and those with cardiovascular disease. Varicella vaccination policies for individuals with DM should be updated based on the evidence.

Association between Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Herpes Zoster Infection in 1688 Living Donor Liver Transplantation Recipients at a Large Single Center

Liver transplantation (LT) is closely associated with decreased immune function, a contributor to herpes zoster (HZ). However, risk factors for HZ in living donor LT (LDLT) remain unknown. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and immune system function are reportedly correlated. This study investigated the association between NLR and HZ in 1688 patients who underwent LDLT between January 2010 and July 2020 and evaluated risk factors for HZ and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The predictive power of NLR was assessed through the concordance index and an integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) analysis. Of the total cohort, 138 (8.2%) had HZ. The incidence of HZ after LT was 11.2 per 1000 person-years and 0.1%, 1.3%, 2.9%, and 13.5% at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. In the Cox regression analysis, preoperative NLR was significantly associated with HZ (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.09; p = 0.005) and PHN (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03–1.13; p = 0.001). Age, sex, mycophenolate mofetil use, and hepatitis B virus infection were risk factors for HZ versus age and sex for PHN. In the IDI analysis, NLR was discriminative for HZ and PHN (p = 0.020 and p = 0.047, respectively). Preoperative NLR might predict HZ and PHN in LDLT recipients.

Estimated Public Health Impact of the Recombinant Zoster Vaccine

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the potential public health impact of adult herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination with the adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in the United States in the first 15 years after launch.

METHODS

We used a publicly available model accounting for national population characteristics and HZ epidemiological data, vaccine characteristics from clinical studies, and anticipated vaccine coverage with RZV after launch in 2018. Two scenarios were modeled: a scenario with RZV implemented with 65% coverage after 15 years and a scenario continuing with zoster vaccine live (ZVL) with coverage increasing 10% over the same period. We estimated the numbers vaccinated, and the clinical outcomes and health care use avoided yearly, from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2032. We varied RZV coverage and investigated the associated impact on HZ cases, complications, and health care resource use.

RESULTS

With RZV adoption, the numbers of individuals affected by HZ was predicted to progressively decline with an additional 4.6 million cumulative cases avoided if 65% vaccination with RZV was reached within 15 years. In the year 2032, it was predicted that an additional 1.3 million physicians' visits and 14.4 thousand hospitalizations could be avoided, compared with continuing with ZVL alone. These numbers could be reached 2 to 5 years earlier with 15% higher RZV vaccination rates.

CONCLUSION

Substantial personal and health care burden can be alleviated when vaccination with RZV is adopted. The predicted numbers of HZ cases, complications, physicians' visits, and hospitalizations avoided, compared with continued ZVL vaccination, depends upon the RZV vaccination coverage achieved.

Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Patient-Centered Wound Outcomes: A Literature Review

GENERAL PURPOSE

To present a comprehensive review of patient-centered outcomes of topical or systemic interventions applied to those with shingles or postherpetic neuralgia to inform clinical practice and identify related research needs.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES

After participating in this educational activity, the participant will be able to:1. Explain the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of herpes zoster (HZ).2. Identify interventions that have resulted in documented improvement of validated patient-centered outcomes in patients with HZ or postherpetic neuralgia.3. Recognize the average per patient medical costs of HZ in the US.

Vaccination for quality of life: herpes-zoster vaccines

Current vaccination policy in most high-income countries aims to counteract the decline in cell-mediated immunity to varicella zoster virus that occurs with advancing age or immunosuppression. The aim of this review was to describe the burden of illness associated with herpes zoster (HZ) and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) risks and their impact on the social and common life in infected people. The effectiveness/efficacy and cost effectiveness of the immunization strategy will be presented through the review of the literature relevant to the live attenuated HZ vaccine (ZLV) licensed in 2006 and the recombinant HZ vaccine (RZV). The latter has very recently been approved to protect aged people aged ≥ 50 years against HZ morbidity including its complications, and associated health-care costs. Finally, this review also provides data with respect of precautions of using and safety of ZVL and RVZ.

Efficacy of Dorsal Root Ganglion Pulsed Radiofrequency Combined with Paravertebral Injection of Recombinant Human Interferon-α2b in Herpetic Neuralgia

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) pulsed radiofrequency combined with paravertebral injection of recombinant human interferon-α2b in the treatment of patients with acute herpes zoster neuralgia and its preventive effectiveness on postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 62 patients with acute herpes zoster neuralgia was implemented. All patients were divided into two groups: pulsed radiofrequency paraspinal injection of recombinant human interferon-α2b (group P); pulsed radiofrequency combined with paravertebral injection of saline (group C). The numerical rating scales (NRS) scores were used for pain assessment, and the dose of the analgesic drug was recorded. Gal-3 and IL-6 levels in blood were compared between the two groups before treatment and at 1 week, 2, and 4 weeks after treatment. The incidence of PHN was recorded in both groups.

Results

The pain intensity, the levels of Gal-3 and IL-6 in blood and the dose of oral administration of gabapentin capsules and morphine were reduced in all patients after treatment. Compared with group C, patients in group P had lower NRS scores, blood levels of Gal-3 and IL-6, and dosages of oral gabapentin capsules and morphine hydrochloride immediate-release tablets after treatment. The incidence of PHN was significantly lower at 8 and 12 weeks.

Conclusion

DRG pulsed radiofrequency combined with paravertebral injection of recombinant human interferon-α2b for acute stage herpes zoster neuralgia is a more effective treatment, and can effectively prevent the incidence rate of PHN.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Herpes Zoster Vaccine in Patients With CKD

Introduction

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for herpes zoster (HZ) infection. Few studies have examined HZ vaccine (HZV) in this population. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the efficacy and safety of HZV in patients with renal disease (CKD, dialysis, and transplant).

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases (up to May 2020) were searched for randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized controlled studies evaluating HZV in patients with CKD for effectiveness and adverse event risks. Studies without a control group (placebo or no vaccine) were excluded. Extraction of prespecified data and risk of bias assessments using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for cohort studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomized controlled trials were done by 3 authors. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to generate pooled treatment effects and 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Included were 404,561 individuals from 8 studies (3 randomized controlled trials and 5 nonrandomized). All 8 studies examined HZ as an outcome, with 3 reporting adverse events. Risk of HZ was lower in patients who received HZV compared with controls (hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.37–0.82; P < 0.01); however, heterogeneity was high (I² = 88%, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in adverse events associated with HZV (hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.54–1.28; P = 0.8).

Conclusions

HZV compared with control significantly lowers the risk of HZ without an increase in adverse events in CKD patients. However, significant heterogeneity was present. HZV should be actively considered in CKD patients because the prevalence of HZ is higher in this population.

Application and Therapeutic Effect of Puncturing of the Costal Transverse Process for Pulsed Radiofrequency Treated T1-T3 Herpes Zoster Neuralgia

Purpose

In CT-guided dorsal root ganglion puncture, especially T1–T3, it is often difficult to reach the target due to obstruction of the lamina, transverse process, and ribs. Therefore, a safe and effective puncture method with high success rate is urgently needed to guide us in our clinical work.

Patients and Methods

A total of 44 patients with dorsal root ganglion underwent pulsed radiofrequency therapy for pain T1–T3 herpes zoster neuralgia at the pain department of Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University from January 2019 to February 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Each patient underwent the same surgical method. The patient’s operation time, CT filming times, nerve electrophysiological tests, the NRS scores before and after operation at one, four, eight, and 12 weeks, Pittsburgh Sleep Disorder Index (PSQI), dosage of gabapentin capsules and tramadol hydrochloride sustained-release tablets, surgical complications and incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) were recorded.

Results

The success rate of 44 patients who underwent puncturing of the costal transverse process to T1 target was 88.46%, to T2 target was 90.68%, and to T3 target was 90.68%, respectively. The NRS score of patients before surgery was 5.48±0.59, and those at one, four, eight, and 12 weeks after surgery were 3 (3,3), 1 (1,2), 0 (0, 1), and 0 (0, 0). The difference of NRS score between preoperation and postoperation is statistically significant. No intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred. Two patients developed PHN after standard treatment, and the incidence of it was 4.55%.

Conclusion

CT-guided puncturing of the costal transverse process in the dorsal root ganglion of patients who underwent pulsed radiofrequency treatment of T1–T3 herpes zoster neuralgia showed a high success rate and is considered to be safe and effective.

Longitudinal, multidisciplinary, resident-driven intervention to increase immunisation rates for Medicaid, low-income and uninsured patients

Introduction

More payers are closely linking reimbursement to high-value care outcomes such as immunisation rates. Despite this, there remain high rates of pneumonia and influenza-related hospitalisations generating hospital expenditures as high as $11 000 per hospitalisation. Vaccinating the public is an integral part of preventing poor health and utilisation outcomes and is particularly relevant to high-risk patients. As part of a multidisciplinary effort between family and internal medicine residency programmes, our goal was to improve vaccination rates to an average of 76% of eligible Medicaid, low-income and uninsured (MLIU) patients at an academic primary care practice.

Methods

The quality improvement project was completed over 3 months by three primary care resident groups. The setting was a suburban academic primary care practice and eligible patients were 18 years of age or older. Our aim was to increase immunisation rates of pneumococcal, influenza, varicella, herpes zoster virus and tetanus and diphtheria vaccination. There were 1690 patients eligible for the vaccination composite metric. Data were derived from the electronic health record and administrative data.

Interventions

Cohort 1 developed an initial intervention that consisted of a vaccine questionnaire for patients to complete while in the waiting room. Cohort 2 modified questionnaire after reviewing results from initial intervention. Cohort 3 recommended elimination of questionnaire and implementation of a bundled intervention approach.

Results

There were minimal improvements in patient immunisation rates after using a patient-directed paper questionnaire. After implementation of multiple interventions via an improvement bundle, there were improvements in immunisation rates which were sustained and the result of special cause variation.

Conclusion

A key to improving immunisation rates for MLIU patients in this clinic was developing relationships with faculty and staff stakeholders. We received feedback from all the medical staff and then applied it to the interventions and made an impact in the average of vaccinations.

Clinical features of aseptic meningitis with varicella zoster virus infection diagnosed by next-generation sequencing: case reports

BACKGROUND

The aseptic meningitis caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation was less described in the literature, most of which were detected by means of polymerase chain reaction. The authors presented 4 adult immunocompetent patients with acute aseptic meningitis with VZV infection diagnosed by next-generation sequencing (NGS).

CASE PRESENTATION

Four patients were admitted to the hospital with headache and fever between March 2018 and August 2019. The median ages were 37 years (range 22-52 years). The median symptoms onset to clinic time was 3.5 days (range 3-6 days). Two patients had signs of meningeal irritation. Rash occurred after the meningitis symptoms in 1 patient (time from meningitis symptoms to rash, 2 days). No other sign or symptom was reported. The brain Magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography were normal in all patients. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were obtained at a median of 4 days (range 3-7 days) from the meningitis symptoms onset. Opening pressure of lumbar puncture after admission were high in these cases (median 256 mm H₂O; range 165-400 mm H₂O). White blood cell counts and protein levels were significantly elevated in CSF samples (median 317 × 10^6/L, range 147-478 × 10^6/L; median 1.41 g/L, range 0.57-1.79 g/L). The cytology of CSF demonstrated a lymphocytic pleocytosis, and most multinuclear cells. The culture of CSF was negative for all 4 cases, while T-cell spot test was positive for 2 cases, who were administrated with anti-tuberculosis treatment for suspicious tuberculous meningitis. NGS of CSF (the Vision Medical Research Institute) detected specific sequences of VZV in the 4 cases within 72 h after admission. The inappropriate treatment were stopped while acyclovir were continued intravenously for 10-14 days. All patients recovered completely.

CONCLUSIONS

VZV is an infectious agent that causes aseptic meningitis in immunocompetent adults and could not be accompanied by skin manifestations. The NGS of CSF is a rapid detection for the identification and differentiation of meningitis in patients, which is of great importance for providing the rapid and accurate diagnosis and the targeted antimicrobial therapy for central nervous system infection.