Linked Life Data

14622691

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/14622691

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-11-19
pubmed:abstractText
The best-known complication of shingles (herpes zoster) is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN is commonly studied to investigate causes of and treatments for neuropathic pain. However, many patients with shingles experience neuropathic itch accompanying, or instead of, pain. Some report severe disabling postherpetic itch (PHI), and though it is rare, some patients injure themselves by scratching itchy skin that has lost protective sensation. To date, there is virtually no mention of PHI in the medical literature; neither epidemiologic, anatomic, physiologic, nor treatment studies. We analyzed 3 independent existing sets of data from 586 adults with shingles or PHN to glean epidemiologic information about pruritus during and after shingles. All data refer to itch localized to shingles-affected areas and initiated by shingles. They indicate that pruritus, usually mild or moderate, commonly accompanies both acute zoster and PHN. There was no significant difference in age between subjects with and without PHI. In one group, but not in another, there was an increased number of women with PHI. Subjects whose shingles affected the head, face, and neck were more likely to experience PHI than those whose shingles affected the torso. These findings indicate a need for research on zoster-associated itch, including prospective studies on frequency, impact, and treatment.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
1526-5900
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
4
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
338-43
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2003
pubmed:articleTitle
Herpes zoster itch: preliminary epidemiologic data.
pubmed:affiliation
Nerve Injury Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. aoaklander@partners.org
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Multicenter Study