Atopic Dermatitis as a Risk Factor for Herpes Zoster Infection Independent of Treatment: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background

In the wake of the emerging development of biologics in atopic dermatitis (AD), herpes zoster (HZ) infection has been reported as a treatment-related adverse event.

Objectives

This study aims at investigating the association between AD and HZ, and the risk factors within.

Methods

28,677 participants with AD from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database 2000-2015 were enrolled. Risk of HZ infection was compared in the study cohort (with AD) and the control cohort (without AD). Further analyses were conducted in gender-, age-, and treatment strategy-stratified subgroups.

Results

Significantly higher adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of HZ infection were revealed in AD patients (aHR = 2.303, P < 0.001), and remained this trend in gender- and age-stratified models. All AD groups, irrespective of the treatment type, had higher aHRs (AD without systemic treatment: aHR = 2.356, P < 0.001; AD with systemic treatment: aHR = 2.182, P < 0.001) compared with those without AD. However, no differences in HZ risk were shown between each treatment type.

Conclusions

Risk of HZ infection in AD is higher irrespective of treatment type. Considering that AD per se increases susceptibility to HZ infection, the administration of biologics requires careful considerations.