Evaluation of Demographic and Clinical Data of Herpes Zoster Patients Admitted To Tertiary Referral Dermatology Clinic During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Herpes zoster infection (shingles) occurs due to reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) usually contracted during childhood. Dermatomal involvement is characterized by vesicular rash. Symptoms such as pain and itching are usually present. Complications may be life-threatening and/or result with sequelae. Psychogenic factors and/or other underlying systemic diseases may provoke reactivation of VZV. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection is one such factor. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the demographic and clinical data collected from patients admitted to our tertiary referral medical center and diagnosed with herpes zoster during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Six hundred and sixty-one patients admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with herpes zoster between October 2020 and October 2021 were included in the cross-sectional retrospective study. Results: The age range was between 1 and 90, and the mean age was 50.4±19.9 years. Fifty percent were female and 50% were male. Complications were found in 62% of the patients, and 54% had postherpetic neuralgia. A history of an additional comorbidity was found in 79% of the patients. It was observed that 10% of the patients were hospitalized, and their mean age was 66.26±14.4 years. Three percent of the patients had an association with COVID-19 vaccine/infection. Conclusion: Our study is unique because it includes both pediatric and adult patients. Also significant for providing one-year demographic data for shingles during the COVID-19 era.