Psychosocial risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia: a prospective study of patients with herpes zoster.

Unlabelled: The results of previous studies using retrospective methods or small samples have suggested that there may be psychosocial risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). We conducted a prospective study in which 110 patients with herpes zoster were assessed within the first month after rash onset with measures of acute pain and five broad domains of psychosocial functioning-physical, role, social, and emotional functioning, and stress and social support. Twenty of the 102 patients with follow-up data were diagnosed with PHN, defined as pain that had persisted for 4 months after rash onset.

Acute pain in herpes zoster and its impact on health-related quality of life.

Although the effects of postherpetic neuralgia on physical and emotional functioning have been examined in a number of studies, the impact of acute pain in herpes zoster ("shingles") on health-related quality of life has been neglected. We describe the characteristics of herpes zoster pain and examine its relationship to physical, role, social, and emotional functioning in 110 patients with herpes zoster. When we controlled for relevant covariates, we found that greater pain burden, as assessed by the product of pain intensity and duration, was associated with poorer physical functioning, increased emotional distress, and decreased role and social functioning.