Earlier treatment improves the chances of complete relief from postherpetic neuralgia.
10.3344/kjp.2017.30.3.214
- Author:
Dong Hee KANG
1
;
Su Young KIM
;
Hyuck Goo KIM
;
Jung Hyun PARK
;
Tae Kyun KIM
;
Kyung Hoon KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea. pain@pusan.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Diseases progression;
Herpes zoster;
Incidence;
Morbidity;
Postherpetic neuralgia;
Skin rash;
Terminology
- MeSH:
Chronic Pain;
Exanthema;
Female;
Herpes Zoster;
Humans;
Incidence;
Male;
Neuralgia, Postherpetic*;
Pain Clinics;
Retrospective Studies
- From:The Korean Journal of Pain
2017;30(3):214-219
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: As herpes zoster progresses via postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) to well-established PHN, it presents its recalcitrant nature to the treatment. At this point, the well-established PHN is fixed as a non-treatable, but manageable chronic painful neuropathic disorder. This study evaluated the incidence of complete relief from PHN according to PHN duration at their first visit, and the other factors influencing it. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with PHN at a university-based pain clinic over 7 years. The responders were defined as patients who had complete relief from pain after 1 year of active treatment. Age, sex, PHN duration at their first visit, dermatomal distribution, and underlying disorders were compared in the responder and non-responder groups. Responders were also compared according to these factors. RESULTS: Among 117 PHN patients (M/F = 48/69), 35 patients (29.9%) had complete relief from PHN. Mean ages were 64.3 ± 10.6 and 66.9 ± 10.7 years, numbers of male to female patients were 11/24 and 37/45, and mean durations of PHN at their first visit were 8.5 ± 6.3 and 15.3 ± 10.7 months in the responder and non- responder groups, respectively. In addition, PHN patients who visited the clinic before 9 months showed a better result. Dermatomal distribution and underlying disorders did not show significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Almost 30% of PHN patients received complete relief. Those who sought treatment in a pain clinic before 9 months received a better result.
