Preventing herpes zoster in immunocompromised patients: Current concepts.

Herpes zoster (HZ) incidence is much higher in immunocompromised individuals than in immunocompetent individuals. HZ also occurs at a younger age and is often more severe in immunocompromised persons. Preventive strategies center around the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV), which is approved for immunocompromised adults age 19 and older. Identifying those at greatest risk is critical. For those considering vaccination, evidence gaps regarding vaccine efficacy, toxicity, length of protection, and potential effects on underlying conditions may complicate shared and informed decision-making. Recent data have filled some of these gaps, with several societies issuing recommendations regarding vaccination. Remaining gaps are currently addressed by expert opinion.

Effectiveness of two-dose vs. one-dose varicella vaccine in children in Shanghai, China: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: Varicella, a highly contagious viral disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), affects millions globally, with a higher prevalence among children. After the initial infection, VZV lies dormant in sensory ganglia and has the potential to reactivate much later, causing herpes zoster (HZ). Vaccination is one of the most effective methods to prevent varicella, and the two-dose varicella vaccine (VarV) regimen is widely used around the world. In China, the VarV has been included in the national immunization programme with a recommended single-dose regimen. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the two-dose vs. one-dose VarV regimen in children in Shanghai, China. Materials and methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in Shanghai, China, from September 2018 to December 2022. The study enrolled children aged 3-18 years who had received either the one-dose, two-dose, or 0-dose VarV regimen. Vaccination history, varicella infection status, and relevant variables, including demographic information (name, date of birth and sex) and medical history (clinical features of varicella and illness duration) were collected through medical record review and parental interviews. Results: A total of 3,838 children were included in the study, with 407 in the 0-dose regimen group, 2,107 in the one-dose regimen group and 1,324 in the two-dose regimen group. The corresponding incidence density in these groups was 0.13, 0.05 and 0.03 cases per 1,000 person-days, respectively. The adjusted vaccine effectiveness (VE) was 81.7% (95%CI: 59.3-91.8%) for the two-dose regimen and 60.3% (95%CI: 29.3-77.7%) for the one-dose regimen, compared to the 0-dose regimen. The two-dose VarV regimen showed a protective effectiveness of 47.6% (95%CI: 2.5-71.9%) compared to the one-dose VarV regimen. Conclusion: This study provides evidence supporting the greater effectiveness of the two-dose VarV regimen in preventing varicella infection compared to the one-dose regimen.

The public health impact of recombinant herpes zoster vaccination in adults over 50 years in Spain.

The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) is included in the Spanish National Immunisation Programme for adults 65 years of age (years), with a potential progressive catch-up program for adults 66-80 years, starting with 80 years. However, the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) increases significantly from 50 years. We estimated the public health impact (PHI) of vaccinating adults ≥50 years in Spain versus no vaccination, using a Markov model adapted to the Spanish setting. The model simulated a hypothetical ≥50 years cohort over a lifetime, with inputs from Spanish publications, databases, or publications from other countries where Spanish data were unavailable. Base case inputs included 67.7% RZV coverage and 61.1% second dose compliance. Outputs included clinical outcomes avoided, healthcare resource use avoided, and number-needed-to-vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one HZ case. Deterministic (DSA) and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA) were also conducted. The model estimated that, compared with no vaccination, vaccinating adults ≥50 years in Spain (N = 19,850,213) with RZV could prevent 1,533,353 HZ cases, 261,610 postherpetic neuralgia episodes, 274,159 other complications, and 138 deaths through the cohorts' remaining lifetime, mostly in the 50-59 years cohort. Furthermore, 3,500,492 primary care visits and 71,156 hospitalizations could be avoided, with NNV = 9 to prevent one HZ case. DSA predicted NNV = 7 to prevent one HZ case when second dose compliance was increased to 100%. PSA demonstrated ≥200,000 and ≥1,400,000 cases could be prevented in 86.9% and 18.4% of simulations, respectively. Starting RZV from 50 years could therefore prevent a substantial number of HZ cases and complications. Increasing RZV coverage and second dose compliance could further alleviate PHI of HZ.

Herpes zoster burden in patients with asthma: real-world incidence, healthcare resource utilisation and cost.

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a painful condition caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. The objectives of this study were to compare HZ incidence in adults with asthma versus adults without asthma and to compare healthcare resource use as well as direct costs in adults with HZ and asthma versus adults with asthma alone in the USA. METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal cohort study included adults aged ≥18 years across the USA. Patients were identified from Optum's deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart Database, an administrative claims database, between 1 October 2015 and 28 February 2020, including commercially insured and Medicare Advantage with part D beneficiaries. Cohorts of patients with and without asthma, and separate cohorts of patients with asthma and HZ and with asthma but not HZ, were identified using International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision, Clinical Modification codes. HZ incidence, healthcare resource use and costs were compared, adjusting for baseline characteristics, between the relevant cohorts using generalised linear models. RESULTS: HZ incidence was higher in patients with asthma (11.59 per 1000 person-years) than patients without asthma (7.16 per 1000 person-years). The adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) for HZ in patients with asthma, compared with patients without asthma, was 1.34 (95% CI 1.32 to 1.37). Over 12 months of follow-up, patients with asthma and HZ had more inpatient stays (aIRR 1.11; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.21), emergency department visits (aIRR 1.26; 95% CI 1.18 to 1.34) and outpatient visits (aIRR 1.19; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.22), and direct healthcare costs that were US dollars ($) 3058 (95% CI $1671 to $4492) higher than patients with asthma without HZ. CONCLUSION: Patients with asthma had a higher incidence of HZ than those without asthma, and among patients with asthma HZ added to their healthcare resource use and costs.

A comprehensive, updated systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiologic evidence on the connection between herpes zoster infection and the risk of stroke.

Stroke is a common worldwide cause of death and disability, resulting from an obstruction or reduction in blood flow to the brain. Research has demonstrated that systemic infection such as herpes zoster (HZ) / ophthalmicus herpes zoster (HZO) can potentially trigger stroke. This study includes an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of the epidemiologic data on the connection between HZ/HZO infection and the risk of stroke. A meticulous search of different database yielded 905 studies. Furthermore, an additional 14 studies from a previous meta-analysis were incorporated. Eligible studies underwent rigorous screening, resulting in 18 papers. Statistical analyses, including random/fixed effects models and subgroup analyses, were conducted to assess pooled relative risk (RR) and heterogeneity. The meta-analysis consisted of 5,505,885 participants and found a statistically significant association between HZ infection and the risk of stroke (pooled RR = 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-1.34). The HZO infection showed a significantly higher overall pooled RR of 1.71 (95% CI 1.06-2.75), indicating a strong connection with the risk of stroke. Subgroup analysis revealed that the odds ratio might play a significant role in causing heterogeneity. Time since infection emerged as a crucial factor, with heightened stroke risk in the initial year post-HZ/HZO exposure, followed by a decline after the first year. Asian/Non-Asian studies demonstrated varied results in HZ/HZO patients. Meta-analysis reveals a significant HZ/HZO-stroke link. Subgroups highlight varied risks and warrant extended Asian/non-Asian patient investigation.

The risk of herpes zoster is positively associated with obesity, especially morbid obesity.

This study aimed to investigate the association between obesity and herpes zoster (HZ) occurrence. This study used data covering 2 million people in Taiwan in 2000, which were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database. The cohort study observed aged 20-100 years with obesity from 2000 to 2017 (tracking to 2018). Obesity was indicated by the presence of two or more outpatient diagnoses or at least one admission record. And, obesity was categorized into non-morbid obesity and morbid obesity. Patients with HZ before the index date were excluded. The obesity cohort and control cohort were matched 1:1 according to age, sex, comorbidities, and index year. There were 18,855 patients in both the obesity and control cohorts. The obesity cohort [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.09] had a higher risk of HZ than the control cohort. Further analysis, the morbid obesity group (aHR 1.47), had a significantly higher risk of HZ than the non-morbid obesity group. Among the patients without any comorbidities, the patients with obesity had a significantly higher risk of developing HZ than the patients without obesity (aHR 1.18). Obese patients are at a higher risk of HZ development, especially in the patients with morbid obesity. Weight reduction is critical for preventing the onset of chronic diseases and decreasing the risk of HZ in patients with obesity.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the general population, herpes zoster patients, and dermatologists toward herpes zoster in China: A quantitative cross-sectional survey.

The burden of herpes zoster (HZ) is anticipated to increase among the aging population of China over time. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the population toward HZ can help inform the design of public health strategies. As there is a paucity of KAP data in China, this cross-sectional survey therefore sought to assess KAP related to HZ from the general population, patients with HZ, and dermatologists in China. The total number of respondents from the general population, HZ patients, and dermatologists were 804, 282, and 160, respectively. Notably, some gaps in knowledge regarding the severity, transmission, and prevention of HZ were identified across all groups. For example, less than half of respondents from the general population and HZ patients understood that vaccination does not treat HZ. For dermatologists, not all were aware of adverse reactions following HZ vaccination and some had misconceptions regarding the mode of transmission of HZ. Given the link between an individual's disease knowledge to their attitudes and practices, improved understanding of HZ could underlie positive attitudes and help reinforce healthcare professionals' recommendations in the management and prevention of HZ. In particular, doctors may be well-positioned to support HZ prevention initiatives, as most of the general population and HZ patients found vaccination more acceptable if recommended by a doctor (78.9% and 81.6%, respectively). Therefore, consideration of these KAP attributes may support the development of targeted educational interventions and effective public health strategies against HZ in China.

Integrated Safety Update of Abrocitinib in 3802 Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: Data from More than 5200 Patient-Years with Up to 4 Years of Exposure.

BACKGROUND: Abrocitinib, an oral, once-daily, Janus kinase 1-selective inhibitor, is efficacious in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis with a manageable long-term safety profile. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to provide updated integrated long-term safety results for abrocitinib from available data accrued up to a maximum of almost 4 years in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis from the JADE clinical development program. METHODS: Analysis included 3802 patients (exposure: 5213.9 patient-years) from the phase II monotherapy study (NCT02780167) and the phase III studies JADE MONO-1 (NCT03349060), JADE MONO-2 (NCT03575871), JADE TEEN (NCT03796676), JADE COMPARE (NCT03720470), JADE DARE (NCT04345367; 200 mg only), JADE REGIMEN (NCT03627767), and JADE EXTEND (NCT03422822; data cutoff 25 September, 2021). Data from patients receiving one or more doses of abrocitinib 200 mg or 100 mg were pooled in a consistent-dose cohort (patients were allocated to receive the same abrocitinib dose throughout exposure in the qualifying parent study and/or long-term study) or a variable-dose cohort (patients received open-label abrocitinib 200 mg; responders were randomized to abrocitinib 200 mg, 100 mg, or placebo, and could then receive abrocitinib 200 mg plus topical corticosteroids as rescue therapy). Incidence rates of adverse events of special interest were assessed. Cox regression analysis of risk factors for herpes zoster and serious infections was performed. RESULTS: Overall, this safety analysis of long-term data up to a maximum of ~ 4 years of abrocitinib exposure does not indicate any changes from the previously reported risk profile. The most frequent serious infections (per Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities preferred term) with consistent-dose abrocitinib 200 mg and 100 mg were herpes zoster (0.5% and 0.2%), pneumonia (0.2% with either dose), and herpes simplex (0.1% with either dose). Risk factors for herpes zoster were a history of herpes zoster, abrocitinib 200-mg dose, age ≥ 65 years, absolute lymphocyte count < 1 × 103/mm3 before the event, and residing in Asia. For serious infections, > 100 kg body weight was a risk factor. Incidence rate/100 patient-years (95% confidence interval) with the consistent abrocitinib 200-mg and 100-mg dose combined was higher in older (aged ≥ 65 years) patients versus younger (aged 18 to < 65 years) patients for serious adverse events (17.6 [11.7‒25.4] vs 6.7 [5.8‒7.8]), malignancy excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (2.4 [0.6‒6.0] vs 0.1 [0.0‒0.4]), non-melanoma skin cancer (2.4 [0.6‒6.1] vs 0.2 [0.1‒0.4]), lymphopenia (3.5 [1.3‒7.6] vs 0.1 [0.0‒0.3]), and venous thromboembolism (1.7 [0.4‒5.1] vs 0.1 [0.0‒0.3]). Incident rate/100 patient-years (95% confidence interval) of non-melanoma skin cancer with the consistent abrocitinib 200-mg and 100-mg dose combined was higher in current/former smokers (0.9 [0.4‒1.6]) vs never-smokers (0.0 [0.0‒0.1]). CONCLUSIONS: This safety update showed a consistent profile for abrocitinib with no new safety signals and continues to support that abrocitinib has a manageable long-term safety profile in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Risk of specific adverse events was higher in certain patient populations, especially those aged ≥ 65 years. [Video abstract available.] CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02780167; study start date: April, 2016; primary completion date: March, 2017; study completion date: April, 2017. NCT03349060; study start date: 7 December, 2017; study completion date: 26 March, 2019. NCT03575871; study start date: 29 June, 2018; study completion date: 13 August, 2019. NCT03720470; study start date: 29 October, 2018; primary completion date: 27 December, 2019; study completion date: 6 March, 2020. NCT03796676; study start date: 18 February, 2019; study completion date: 8 April, 2020. NCT03627767; study start date: 11 June, 2018; primary completion date: 2 September, 2020; study completion date: 7 October, 2020. NCT04345367; study start date: 11 June, 2020; primary completion date: 16 December, 2020; study completion date: 13 July, 2021. NCT03422822; study start date: 8 March, 2018; study completion date: ongoing (estimated completion date: 31 January, 2026).

Abrocitinib is an approved treatment for people with moderate or severe atopic dermatitis, also known as AD or atopic eczema. Abrocitinib is a tablet that is taken by mouth once a day. This safety analysis looked at the side effects of treatment in a large group of adults and adolescents with moderate or severe AD who took abrocitinib up to a maximum of almost 4 years. This analysis also looked at which people were more likely to have certain side effects after taking abrocitinib. The results from this analysis were similar to those of previous safety analyses with abrocitinib, with no new side effects. Infections such as shingles, pneumonia, or herpes simplex can occur during treatment with abrocitinib. Shingles was more likely to occur in people who previously had shingles before taking abrocitinib, or who took the higher dose of abrocitinib (200 mg), or were 65 years of age or older, or had certain blood test results, or lived in Asia. People who are 65 years of age or older and took abrocitinib were more likely to develop some types of cancer, have certain abnormal blood test results, or develop blood clots in the veins than people with AD who were younger and took abrocitinib. Current or former smokers with AD who took abrocitinib were more likely to develop skin cancer (but not melanoma) than people with AD who took abrocitinib but have never smoked. This analysis further shows that abrocitinib had manageable safety in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Video abstract: Integrated safety update of abrocitinib in 3802 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: data from more than 5200 patient-years with up to 4 years of exposure (MP4 63720 KB).

The epidemiologic and economic impact of varicella and herpes zoster vaccination in South Korea: A mathematical modelling study.

BACKGROUND: In South Korea, the National Immunization Program has included one-dose varicella vaccination for 1-year-olds since 2005. This study examines the potential impact of introducing a two-dose varicella vaccination for children, along with zoster vaccination for adults, using either the zoster vaccine live (ZVL) or recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV). METHODS: The investigation considered four strategies in a base case scenario. The first involved introducing zoster vaccination for 60-year-olds, with a 60 % coverage. The second strategy combined zoster vaccination with a second-dose varicella vaccination for 4-year-olds, with a 90 % coverage. An age-structured model spanning 50 years was employed, assuming a zoster vaccine catch-up campaign over the initial 5 years. Cost-effectiveness analyses were conducted, assessing incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), incremental net monetary benefits (INMBs), and net loss under different ages at zoster vaccination (50, 60, 65, and 70 years) and varying willingness-to-pay (WTP) levels from ₩40 million ($34,998) to ₩84 million ($74,000). RESULTS: All strategies were cost-effective and significantly reduced herpes zoster (HZ) incidence, preventing approximately 3,077,000 to 7,609,000 cases, depending on the chosen strategy. The combined strategy prevented around 4,950,000 varicella and 653,000 HZ cases additionally. RZV outperformed ZVL by preventing twice as many HZ cases and offering greater QALY gains. However, ZVL was more cost-effective due to its lower cost. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses revealed that RZV became more cost-effective at higher WTP thresholds, exceeding ₩60.9 million ($53,193) in terms of ICER and ₩62.5 million ($54,591) for INMBs and net loss. The optimal age for zoster vaccination was 60 years concerning ICER but 50 years regarding INMB. CONCLUSIONS: Combining RZV with a two-dose varicella vaccination strategy reduced the disease burden and improved QALY more effectively, though ZVL remained more cost-effective at lower WTP levels. Decisions regarding vaccination policies should be balanced between the public health needs and WTP levels.

Use of antiviral drugs and incidence of Parkinson's disease in Taiwan.

Patients infected with herpes zoster might be at risk for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, antiviral drugs may impede viral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis. This study aimed to determine whether the currently observed association between herpes zoster and PD is consistent with previous findings, and whether antiviral drug use is associated with PD. This retrospective cohort study used the Longitudinal Generation Tracking Database. We included patients aged 40 years and above and applied propensity score matching at 1:1 ratio for study comparability. PD risk was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression methods. A total of 234,730 people were analyzed. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for PD in patients with herpes zoster was 1.05. Furthermore, the overall incidence of PD was lower in those treated with antiviral drugs than in the untreated ones (3.17 vs. 3.76 per 1,000 person-years); the aHR was 0.84. After stratifying for sex or age, a similar result was observed. In conclusion, herpes zoster may increase the risk of PD, particularly among females, but receiving antiviral treatment reduces the risk by 16%. Therefore, using antiviral drugs may help prevent PD. However, additional research is required to determine the underlying mechanism(s).

Herpes zoster in older adults: Impact on carbon footprint in the United States.

We provide estimates for (I) annual herpes zoster (HZ) cases, (II) carbon costs related to healthcare utilization, and (III) annual carbon emissions due to HZ among ≥50 years of age (YOA) United States (US) population. We estimated the annual number of HZ cases in the US based on available incidence data and demographic data of individuals ≥50 YOA. Both the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) associated with HZ cases and the unit carbon dioxide equivalent (i.e. CO2e) costs associated with each type of HCRU in the US were estimated based on literature and studies available online. The carbon footprint associated with HZ annually among US adults ≥50 YOA was estimated by multiplying the unit carbon estimates by the HCRU. In the US population aged ≥50 YOA in 2020 (i.e. approximately 118 million), approximately 1.1 million cases of HZ occur annually assuming no vaccination. Based on 2 sources of HCRU the average kgCO2e per HZ patient ranged from 61.0 to 97.6 kgCO2e, with values by age group ranging from 40.9 kgCO2e in patients aged 50-59 to 195.9 kgCO2e in patients ≥80 YOA. The total annual HZ associated carbon ranged between 67,000 and 107,000 tons of CO2e in the US population aged ≥50 YOA. The impact of HZ on carbon footprint in the US results in considerable greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions. Assuming no vaccination, the burden of HZ is projected to rise over the coming years with the aging populations consequently worsening its impact on GHG emissions. (Figure 1).

Assessing herpes zoster vaccine efficacy in patients with diabetes: A community-based cohort study.

The effectiveness of herpes zoster (HZ) vaccines in patients with diabetes over the age of 50 remains an active area of research. Utilizing a real-world database from the US community, this study spanning from 2006 to 2023, aimed to evaluate the impact of HZ vaccination on newly diagnosed diabetes patients who received an HZ vaccination within 1 year of diagnosis. Exclusion criteria were established to omit patients with immune deficiencies. The cohort consisted of 53 885 patients, with an average age of 63.5 years, including 43% females and 58% whites. After implementing 1:1 propensity score matching for age, sex, race, comorbidities, diabetes medication, and hemoglobin A1c to ensure comparability, the study population was further stratified into four groups: N1 comparing any HZ vaccination to non-HZ vaccination (53 882 matched pairs), N2 for Shingrix versus non-HZ vaccination (16 665 matched pairs), N3 for Zostavax versus non-HZ vaccination (12 058 matched pairs), and N4 for Shingrix versus Zostavax (11 721 matched pairs). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed a hazard ratio (HR) for HZ incidence post any HZ vaccination of 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83-1.01). Additional analyses yielded HRs of 1.12 (95% CI: 0.93-1.34) for Shingrix versus non-HZ vaccine, 1.02 (95% CI: 0.86-1.20) for Zostavax versus non-HZ vaccine, and 1.06 (95% CI: 0.87-1.29) for Shingrix versus Zostavax. Subgroup analyses across age, sex, and follow-up duration also showed no significant differences. These findings underscore the lack of a significant benefit from HZ vaccination in newly diagnosed diabetes patients aged over 50, highlighting the necessity for further prospective research.

Higher infection risk for JAK inhibitors tofacitinib and baricitinib compared to subcutaneous biological DMARDs.

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is usually treated with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) and more recently, Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi). Randomized trials suggest similar infection risks for JAKi and bDMARDs, but real-world data are scarce. METHODS: From a nationally representative prescription database, adult RA patients starting a new JAKi or bDMARD between August 1st, 2018, and January 31st, 2021, were included. Prescriptions of antibiotic, antiviral or antifungal medication were used as proxy for infections. Infection incidence rates (IR) were compared between JAKi and bDMARDs and infection risks were estimated using multilevel Poisson regression adjusted for follow-up time and potential confounders and stratified for age < 65 and ≥ 65 years. RESULTS: In 14,989 patients, we identified 20,050 treatment episodes with either JAKi or bDMARDs. The infection IR was significantly higher in JAKi (48/100 patient years) compared bDMARDs (35/100 patient years, adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.22, 95% CI 1.12-1.33). More herpes zoster infections were seen in JAKi compared to bDMARDs (adjusted IRR 2.65, 95% CI 1.94-3.60). No significant differences in infection IRs were found comparing JAKi baricitinib and tofacitinib. In older patients, infection IRs were higher, but IRRs were similar between age groups. CONCLUSION: In comparison to bDMARDs, JAKi are associated with a slightly higher infection risk and a higher risk of herpes zoster specifically. In older patients, infection IRs are higher but similar infection risks for JAKi and bDMARDs are observed. No differences in infection risk between tofacitinib and baricitinib were found. Key Points • Compared to bDMARDs, JAKi are associated with a slightly higher infection risk for all ages • An increased risk of herpes zoster in patients who use JAK inhibitors was confirmed • No significant differences in infection incidence were found between tofacitinib and baricitinib.

Public health impact of herpes zoster vaccination on older adults in Singapore: a modeling study.

In Singapore, population aging and rising life expectancy are increasing herpes zoster (HZ) burden, which may be reduced by vaccination. The present study modeled the public health impact of HZ vaccination in Singapore using ZOster ecoNomic Analysis (ZONA) model adapted with Singapore-specific key model inputs, where available. Base case analysis was conducted in adults ≥ 50 years of age (YOA), exploring three vaccination strategies (no vaccination, recombinant zoster vaccine [RZV], zoster vaccine live [ZVL]) under mass vaccination setting (30% coverage). Scenario and sensitivity analyses were performed. Out of 1.51 million adults in 2021 (base case population), 406,513 (27.0%) cases of HZ, 68,264 (4.5%) cases of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), and 54,949 (3.6%) cases of other complications were projected without vaccination. RZV was estimated to avoid 73,129 cases of HZ, 11,094 cases of PHN, and 9,205 cases of other complications over the subjects' remaining lifetime; ZVL would avoid 17,565 cases of HZ, 2,781 cases of PHN, and 1,834 cases of other complications. The number needed to vaccinate to prevent one case of HZ/PHN was lower for RZV (7/41) than ZVL (26/163). Among all five age-stratified cohorts (50-59/60-64/65-69/70-79/≥80 YOA), RZV (versus no vaccination/ZVL) avoided the largest number of cases in the youngest cohort, 50-59 YOA. Results were robust under scenario and sensitivity analyses. Mass vaccination with RZV is expected to greatly reduce the public health burden of HZ among Singapore individuals ≥ 50 YOA. Findings support value assessment and decision-making regarding public health vaccination strategies for HZ prevention in Singapore.

Risk of shingles (herpes zoster) increases with age, especially from 50 years. Shingles is a major public health concern in Singapore, given its rapidly aging population. Vaccination can prevent shingles and reduce its public health burden. Two shingles vaccines are available in Singapore: recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) since 2021, zoster vaccine live (ZVL) since 2008. To understand the value of preventing shingles via vaccination, this study assessed the public health impact of shingles vaccination. Three vaccination strategies (no vaccination, vaccination with RZV, vaccination with ZVL) were compared in 1.51 million Singapore adults aged 50 years and above. Without vaccination, public health burden of shingles would be high; an estimated 406,513 (27.0%) would have shingles, 68,264 (4.5%) would have shingles-related long-term nerve pain, 54,949 (3.6%) would have other shingles-related complications, and 17,762 (1.2%) would be hospitalized due to shingles. Shingles vaccination could reduce this public health burden: RZV avoided 73,129 cases of shingles, 11,094 cases of shingles-related long-term nerve pain, 9,205 cases of other shingles-related complications, and 2,827 hospitalizations due to shingles, which was 4­6 times that avoided with ZVL (shingles: 17,565; shingles-related long-term nerve pain: 2,781; other shingles-related complications: 1,834; hospitalizations due to shingles: 484). Shingles vaccination for adults aged 50 years and above, especially early vaccination from 50­59 years, could reduce its public health burden more than vaccination at later ages and contribute toward healthy aging, preventive care, and the Healthier SG initiative. Results support local public health value assessments and decision-making for shingles prevention.

A systematic literature review of the epidemiology and burden of herpes zoster in selected locales in Asia Pacific.

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a painful rash which typically affects older adults. This is of concern in Asia-Pacific given its aging population. As HZ epidemiology and burden are evolving, this systematic literature review aimed to update the current understanding of HZ burden and associated costs for selected Asia-Pacific locales. MEDLINE and Embase were searched for English articles of HZ studies conducted in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan. Eligible outcomes included HZ incidence and prevalence, occurrence of HZ-related complications, healthcare resource utilization, costs, and HZ-associated quality of life outcomes. This paper focused on HZ data in the general adult population (N = 90 articles). Substantial HZ-related disease and economic burden were observed in these locales, consistent with global trends. These findings reinforce the increasing burden of HZ and need for preventive strategies, which may include raising awareness and encouraging timely vaccination.

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is a painful rash that usually resolves after a few weeks, although some people experience serious or long-lasting complications. Shingles is common, affecting around one in every three individuals in their lifetime, and older persons are more likely to have shingles. Given the aging population in the Asia-Pacific region, shingles represents an increasingly important health issue as the proportion of older people increases. Vaccination can help prevent shingles and avoid its complications. New data on the trends and burden of shingles in this region are regularly generated. Therefore, in this study, we looked at studies from selected countries published over the past twenty years to summarize the latest available information on: how many people experience shingles in selected Asia-Pacific areas, how these individuals and societies are affected, and the related costs. Consistent with previous research, this study observed an increasing trend in the number of persons with shingles and costs of managing it, especially in older adults. In populations that are aging, there is a need for ways to reduce the risk of shingles and to lessen its burden on the healthcare system and society. Our findings can help to inform current development of strategies to reduce the risk of shingles, including education (on the burden and risk of shingles) and encouraging uptake of preventive measures.

Herpes zoster (HZ) vaccine coverage and confidence in Italy: a Nationwide cross-sectional study, the OBVIOUS project.

BACKGROUND: Herpes Zoster is an age dependent disease and as such it represents a problem in the Italian social context, where the demographic curve is characterized by an overrepresentation of the elderly population. Vaccines against Herpes Zoster are available, safe and effective, however coverage remains sub-optimal. This study was therefore conducted to examine the variations in Herpes Zoster vaccine uptake and confidence across different regions in Italy. METHODS: This study utilized a cross-sectional computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) methodology. The survey was conducted by Dynata, an online panel provider, and involved 10,000 respondents recruited in Italy between April 11 and May 29, 2022. The sample was stratified based on geographic region, gender, and age group. Data management adhered to European Union data protection regulations, and the survey covered demographics, living conditions, and vaccination against herpes zoster (HZ), following the BeSD framework. RESULTS: The findings indicate regional disparities in herpes zoster vaccine uptake across Italy. Notably, the Islands region exhibits a particularly low vaccination rate (2.9%), highlighting the need for targeted interventions. The multivariate regression analysis showed that sociodemographic factors, limited access to healthcare services, and inadequate awareness of vaccine eligibility contribute to the lower uptake observed in this region. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this research emphasizes regional disparities in herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination uptake in Italy. Demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors impact individuals' willingness to receive the vaccine. The study highlights the importance of awareness of vaccine eligibility and accessible vaccination facilities in increasing uptake rates.

Associations between organic erectile dysfunction and the risk of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in men.

BACKGROUND: Whether erectile dysfunction (ED) leads to considerable stress for affected men remains unclear? In this study, we investigated whether organic ED (OED) is associated with increased risks of herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). METHODS: A representative subset of Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database was employed for this study. Enrollees with OED from the years 2000 to 2018 were selected. To ensure comparability between the case and control groups, we implemented 1:1 propensity score matching based on age, index year, comorbidities, and medications. RESULTS: The case group included 20,808 patients with OED, while the control group consisted of 20,808 individuals without OED. The OED group exhibited a significantly elevated risk of HZ (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.74) and PHN (aHR = 1.56) compared to the non-OED group. CONCLUSIONS: Men experiencing OED seem to face elevated risks of HZ and PHN compared to those without OED. ED may serve as a warning sign for individuals at HZ risk.

Post-marketing surveillance of 10,392 herpes zoster vaccines doses in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Immunisation against herpes zoster is recommended for adults aged ≥ 50 years. Two vaccines, a live attenuated (ZVL, Zostavax®) and an adjuvant recombinant subunit (HZ/su, Shingrix®), are available in Australia. Immunisation guidelines are shifting their recommendations towards HZ/su because of higher efficacy in preventing herpes zoster and associated complications. However, there are limited post-marketing data comparing the safety profiles of these vaccines. METHODS: Data from SmartVax, an active surveillance system for monitoring adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs) utilised by > 450 clinics throughout Australia, were analysed. Data from patients aged ≥ 50 years, who received ZVL or HZ/su, from 1 June 2021 to 31 May 2022, at clinics that utilised SmartVax were included. The proportion of records where patients who reported any, local, and systemic AEFIs after receiving ZVL or HZ/su were compared using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Data from 10,392 immunisation records (n = 8341 ZVL; n = 2051 HZ/su) were included. The proportion of AEFIs reported was higher with HZ/su (41.9 % [any], 33.8 % [local], 25.2 % [systemic]) than with ZVL (8.7 % [any], 6.2 % [local], 3.5 % [systemic]). After controlling for demographic variables, HZ/su presented a 6-fold increase in the odds (OR 6.44; 95 %CI: 5.57-7.46) of a reported AEFI compared to ZVL. Only 59 (0.6 %) of vaccinations lead to medical attention being sought due to an AEFI. CONCLUSIONS: While rates of AEFIs was higher with HZ/su than ZVL, most AEFIs were mild and did not require medical attention. Our findings support the change in vaccine recommendations and the use of HZ/su in immunisation programs.