[Herpes zoster incidence in persons above 50 years of age].

INTRODUCTION

Following the development of herpes zoster vaccines and the potential socio-economic benefits hereof, it is relevant to conduct a study concerning epidemiological aspects of the disease based on a Danish population.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Structured telephone interviews with 1207 persons above 50 years of age were conducted in order to determine the cumulated incidence proportion of herpes zoster in the age groups 50-66 years, 66-70 years and 71+.

RESULTS

The cumulated incidence proportion of herpes zoster was 8.9%, 12.5%, 16.0% in the age groups 50-65 years, 65-70 years and 71+, respectively. Herpes zoster was positively associated with female sex, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and prescription medicine; however, only the former remained significant after test in a multiple logistic regression model.

CONCLUSION

Herpes zoster is common among persons who are more than 50 years old and most frequent among women.