Retrospective evaluation of risk factors, clinical characteristics, and disease burden herpes zoster adult patients in hacettepe university hospitals

This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of patients who received care in Hacettepe University Hospitals between January 2014 and December 2022 with the diagnosis of herpes zoster (HZ). Data were collected retrospectively and those with ICD.10 codes compatible with herpes infection were recruited. The study aims to provide insights into the real-world management of HZ with demographic characteristics, clinical features, hospitalization process and outcomes, underlying diseases and medical therapies. During the study period, a total of 740 patients with confirmed HZ were identified. The mean age of the cohort was 53.3 ± 17.6 years, with a predominance of female patients, constituting 60.1% of the cases. Most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (30.1%), diabetes mellitus (20.9%), followed by malignancies (17.7%), and cardiovascular diseases (14.5%). Still, 31.2% of the patients had no remarkable clinical history or morbidity. Notably, 11.9% of the patients required inpatient care and 5% of those admitted patients required intensive care. Additionally, 11 out of the 740 patients (1.5%) died in the hospital during their follow up with HZ. The most common complication was postherpetic neuralgia (20.7%) followed by HZ ophthalmicus (11.5%). Herpetic vesicles most often appeared in the thoracic area (54.5% of cases). Valacyclovir was the most commonly prescribed treatment (77% of the patients). Our study highlights the burden of HZ, especially highlighting the complications in patients with comorbid conditions and risk factors. Local epidemiological data has critical role in guiding effective treatment and prevention strategies.