Clinical Features of Patients with Herpes zoster According to Age, in Sari, Iran

Reduced function of immune system and underlying diseases make older people more susceptible to Shingles (herpes zoster). The present study aimed to compare the clinical findings and underlying conditions between patients with herpes zoster under 50 years and over 50 years of age.

This cross-sectional descriptive study included all patients who were admitted or hospitalized in Sari hospitals due to herpes zoster in 2016-2018 with complete medical records. Information was collected by census.

There were 180 cases who were investigated according to their age. In patients under 50 years of age, 97 had no underlying diseases, while diabetes, hypertension, malignancy, and cardiovascular diseases were seen in 6, 4, 3, and 12 patients, respectively.  In patients over 50 years of age, 21 were found with no underlying diseases, but 15, 2, 11, and 9 cases had diabetes, hypertension, different types of malignancies, and cardiovascular diseases, respectively. The frequency of underlying diseases in patients with cancer and diabetes in patients with herpes zoster were significantly higher in people over 50 years of age (P= 0.042 and P= 0.05).

Given the risk factors presented in this study, patients with underlying diseases or those on immunosuppressive drugs are required to be closely monitored and receive early treatments as soon as developing herpes zoster to avoid severe complications.