Why carry out this study?

There is a lack of evidence on herpes zoster incidence in patients with an underlying condition and on the frequency of recurrence in the context of German health care.

These data are essential for the development of health care guidelines, disease management programs, and vaccination recommendations.

What was learned from the study?

Patients with asthma, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, and rheumatoid arthritis have, on average, a 10% to more than 30% increased risk of developing acute herpes zoster compared to patients without any underlying condition under study. Among these conditions, rheumatoid arthritis presented the highest risk, varying from 37 to 57%, compared to persons without this condition.

Analysis of recurrence indicated that 18- to 59-year-old patients with at least one underlying condition had the highest risk for a new herpes zoster episode. After experiencing a second herpes zoster episode, patients, regardless of age group, had a two- to threefold higher risk for an additional episode of herpes zoster.