[Herpes zoster incidence in diabetic patients].

BACKGROUND

To assess the risk of herpes zoster in people with diabetes mellitus in comparison with the general population.

METHODS

Using computerized clinical reports form primary health care in Navarre, Spain, we analyzed the incidence of herpes zoster in people aged over 30 years in 2006 by diagnosis of diabetes, and adjusting for age and sex.

RESULTS

Among 26,793 diabetes patients 409 cases of herpes zoster were diagnosed (15 per 1000). Nineteen point three percent of cases occurred in diabetes patients. Diabetes presented an adjusted relative risk of 2.1 (95% CI 1.9-2.4), and increased to 3.7 (95% CI 2.0-6.8) in the 30-44 year age group. Of the total number of cases of herpes zoster in the population, 7.2% were attributable to diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes increases the risk of, and has a relevant role in, the incidence of herpes zoster.