Epidemiology of Postherpetic Neuralgia in Korea

Abstract

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a disease entity defined as persistent pain after the acute pain of herpes zoster gradually resolves. It is associated with impaired daily activities, resulting in reduced quality of life. General epidemiological data on PHN is necessary for the effective management. However, data on the epidemiology of PHN in Korea is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological features of PHN in the general population.We used population-based medical data for 51,448,491 subscribers to the Health Insurance Service in the year of 2013 to analyze of PHN epidemiology in Korea, such as the incidence, regional distribution, seasonal variation, and healthcare resource utilization. Total number of patients and medical cost on PHN were analyzed from 2009 to 2013.Findings indicate that the incidence of PHN in Korea was 2.5 per 1000 person-years, which was strongly correlated with age and sex. There were no differences in seasonal variation or regional distribution. The medical cost increased steadily over the study period. When admitted to general hospitals, patients with PHN were mainly managed in the dermatology and anesthesiology departments.The incidence and prevalence rates of PHN in Koreans appear to be considerably higher compared to those in western populations, while the sex and age predisposition was similar. Considering that the pain associated with PHN can have a marked impact on a patient's quality of life resulting in a medicosocial economic burden, anesthesiology physicians have an important role in primary care in Korea. Future research on the cost-effectiveness of the management of PHN is needed.

PainVision® Apparatus for Assessment of Efficacy of Pulsed Radiofrequency Combined with Pharmacological Therapy in the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia and Correlations with Measurements

“…The potential factors are associated with age and duration of disease. Herpes zoster and its complications, especially postherpetic neuralgia, are associated with substantial morbidity among older adults [7]. In patients with HZ, PHN is a common complication and affects the quality of the patients.…”

Epidemiology of Suicidal Behaviour in Shumadia District, Serbia: a Fifteen-year Retrospective Study

“…Women more often attempt suicide to express and demonstrate their pain or as a gesture of "calling for help". Men, on the other hand, may postpone suicide until helplessness and despair become unbearable (19). Furthermore, while females have greater resources to defend themselves from psychological trauma, problems such as unemployment, retirement, and diseases have greater psychological impact on males (20).…”

“…The number of the employed was higher in the youngest age group (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) and it amounts to 86.4% while the share of the employed in the age group of 45-54 years equals 61.5%. In the oldest age group (65 and over), 96.2% of the suicides were unemployed ( Table 1).…”

Understanding the contribution of suicide to life expectancy in South Korea

“…Consistent with suicide patterns in other countries that have experienced similar economic crises, Korea's suicide rate appeared to drop afterward, until 2000. However, it then started to increase again and has continued to increase ever since (Hong, Bae, and Suh 2006). This pattern of rapid increase after economic stabilization is an anomaly.…”

“…This pattern of rapid increase after economic stabilization is an anomaly. In addition, while other countries with high suicide rates (e.g., Hungary, Finland, Denmark, and Switzerland) have experienced decreasing or steady rates over the last two decades, Korea has experienced an annual increase of 16.8% during the same period (Hong, Bae, and Suh 2006). This extraordinary increase in Korea's suicide rate over the last two decades is also unique in that potential individual causes (e.g., depression) as well as contextual causes (e.g., changes in family structure) of suicide are not unique to Korea (Ha 2011).…”