A Cross-Sectional Concept Elicitation Study to Understand the Impact of Herpes Zoster on Patients' Health-Related Quality of Life.

INTRODUCTION

After a chickenpox infection, the varicella zoster virus lies dormant in nerve cells and can be reactivated in later life to cause herpes zoster (HZ), also called shingles, a painful rash that may result in persistent postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Treatment options are limited, and HZ/PHN may have substantial negative effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This qualitative cross-sectional study explored the subjective patient experience and impact on HRQoL of HZ and PHN in adults aged ≥ 50 years in Canada.

METHODS

Patients were eligible for the study if they were aged at least 50 years and had been diagnosed with HZ by a healthcare practitioner 7-60 days earlier for HZ patients and 90-365 days earlier for PHN patients. Eligible patients were invited to participate in concept elicitation interviews by telephone. Data from the interviews were transcribed and analyzed to identify key concepts related to symptoms and impacts on the patients' lives.

RESULTS

A total of 32 patients participated, with a mean age of 61 years. Most (72%) were female. The most common symptoms reported were rash (n = 32), pain (n = 31), fatigue (n = 26), and itchiness (n = 20). The most commonly reported HRQoL domains affected were emotional functioning (n = 31), activities of daily living (n = 31), sleep (n = 29), physical functioning (n = 25) and hobbies (n = 21). A conceptual model was developed to summarize these symptoms and impacts.

CONCLUSION

HZ negatively affected many dimensions of patients' HRQoL, particularly during the acute phase of illness. This qualitative study helps to broaden understanding of the subjective patient experience of HZ.