Impact of suppressive antiviral therapy on the health related quality of life of patients with recurrent genital herpes infection

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether suppressive antiviral therapy improves health related quality of life in patients with recurrent genital herpes. Methods: Health related quality of life was measured using the disease specific recurrent genital herpes quality of life questionnaire (RGHQoL) as part of a randomised, double blind, 52 week, placebo controlled, dose ranging study of once and twice daily valaciclovir or aciclovir for the suppression of recurrent genital herpes in patients with six or more recurrences per year. Results: Of 1479 participants, 1349 patients completed the baseline questionnaire. There were no significant baseline diVerences in RGHQoL score between any of the treatment groups. After 3 months there were significantly greater improvements in mean RGHQoL scores for all active treatment groups compared with placebo (p<0.05). Mean RGHQoL score improvements from baseline remained significantly higher in the active treatment groups than in the placebo group after 6 and 12 months, indicating that the improved health related quality of life in patients receiving suppressive antiviral therapy was sustained over a prolonged period of time. Conclusion: Suppressive antiviral therapy is an eVective strategy for improving the quality of life of patients with recurrent genital herpes. These improvements in quality of life are sustained over time, thus enhancing the clinical benefit in the long term management of this condition. (Sex Transm Inf 1999;75:398-402)

A meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of oral antiviral treatment to prevent genital herpes outbreaks

“…25 Improving the quality of life of patients on suppressive therapy is a very meaningful criterion, but it was evaluated in only one study included in our meta-analysis. 19,29 In that trial, genital herpes suppression with ACV or VACV significantly improved health-related quality of life compared with the placebo. This effect was sustained throughout the study duration (12 months).…”

Human herpes simplex virus infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management

“…288 Long-term suppression is reported to reduce clinical outbreaks of genital herpes and subclinical shedding by 80% and 95%, respectively. 3,98,289 The protective effect of suppressive therapy with 500 mg valacyclovir daily in reducing the risk of genital herpes transmission among heterosexual HSV2-discordant couples through reduction of asymptomatic viral shedding has also been demonstrated. 62,290,291 Although long-term suppression will not alter the natural history of HSV disease, extended suppressive therapy (eg, beyond 5 years) will result in fewer genital recurrences after cessation of therapy.…”

Corrigendum to: 2-day versus 5-day famciclovir as treatment of recurrences of genital herpes: results of the FaST study

“…Suppressive treatment of genital herpes using both aciclovir 11 and valaciclovir 12 has been associated with sustained improvements in patients' self-esteem, social and sexual functioning, personal relationships and mental health. The current study is the first to examine the impact of genital herpes on patient functioning in patients receiving episodic treatment for genital herpes and the first in any study of famciclovir.…”