Abstract
This study aims to explore the value of serum galectin-3 in patients with herpes zoster neuralgia (HZN) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and other factors influencing HZN and PHN occurrence. Samples from forty patients with herpes zoster neuralgia (HZN) (Group H), 40 patients with nonherpes zoster neuralgia (Group N), and 20 cases of health check-up were collected. Patients were divided into PHN group (Group A) and non-PHN group (Group B) according to the occurrence of PHN in Group H. Galectin-3, T-lymphocyte subsets, and IL-6 were recorded in all patients. The changes of galectin-3 in patients with early HZN and PHN were analyzed by single-factor analysis and multifactor analysis. The age (P=0.012) and NRS scores (P < 0.001) of PHN patients were significantly higher than those of non-PHN patients and other neuralgia patients. The ratio of CD3+ (F = 80.336, P < 0.001), CD4+ (F = 12.459, P < 0.001) lymphocyte subsets, and CD4+/CD8+ (F = 15.311, P < 0.001) decreased significantly in PHN patients. The level of blood IL-6 (F = 139.446, P < 0.001) in PHN patients was significantly increased. Serum galectin-3 was significantly higher in HZN patients than in PHN patients (P < 0.05); IL-6 (OR = 10.002, 95% CI: 3.313–30.196, P < 0.001) and galectin-3 (OR = 3.719, 95% CI: 1.261–10.966, P=0.017) were the risk factors for HZN; galectin-3 (OR = 17.646, 95% CI: 2.795–111.428, P=0.002) was also the risk factor for PHN. ROC curve analysis also showed that serum galectin-3 was a better predictor of poor prognosis (AUC = 0.934, P < 0.001). Therefore, as an independent risk factor of HZN and PHN, serum galectin-3 may be used as a new biochemical marker in clinical practice.
Highlights
Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute viral infection caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV)
Comparison of General Clinical Data among Group A, Group B, and Group N. e results showed that the age of Group A was significantly higher than that of Group B and Group N (P < 0.05); e Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score of Group A was significantly higher than that of Group B and Group N; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). ere were no significant differences among the three groups in sex, visiting time, skin lesion area, and disease complication (P > 0.05; Table 1)
Whether or not herpes zoster neuralgia (HZN) occurs was used as a state variable; the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of galectin-3 was calculated. e result showed that the area was 0.675 (P 0.007; Figure 4; Table 4), the best cut-off point of the ROC curve was 2.45 ng/ml, the sensitivity was 60.0%, and the specificity was 85.0%
Summary
Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute viral infection caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV). It is a common skin disease in clinical practice. Acute herpes zoster neuralgia (HZN) often occurs in the acute stage. Delayed and ineffective treatment of HZN may result in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Postherpetic neuralgia is defined as persistent severe pain in the area one month after recovery from shingles [1]. PHN is one of the most severe painful diseases affecting patients’ quality of life. It occurs in patients over 60 years of age with herpes zoster. The application of galectin-3 in HZN and PHN is rarely reported. The application of galectin-3 in HZN and PHN is rarely reported. is study aimed to compare the levels of serum galectin-3 in patients with HZN and PHN as well as to analyze the role of serum galectin-3 in patients with HZN and PHN
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