Quality of life in post-herpetic neuralgia in the dermatology department of Hospital Luis Vernaza

Abstract

Introduction: Shingles (HZ) is the result of the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. The main complication of HZ is post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), pain that appears in the affected dermatome 3 months after the resolution of the cutaneous lesions. Despite the limited evidence, PHN significantly influences the patient's quality of life (QL), affecting their functional capacity, emotional state and work capacity in the active population. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the quality of life in NPH. Previous studies have not been done in this institution and statistics on the subject are nil in Ecuador. Materials and Methods: The study was descriptive, observational, retroprospective with a non-experimental and transversal level. The universe consisted of 141 patients with a diagnosis of PHN treated at the outpatient clinic of the dermatology service of the Luis Vernaza hospital during the period from January 1 to December 31, 2016, with a sample of 92 patients, who underwent an interview and a physical examination, using a data sheet that included the DN4 and EQ-5D-5L questionnaires. Excel tables were used to record the data. Results: Of the total of 92 patients who participated in the study, tingling was the most frequent symptom. Regarding the symptomatic load related to QL in PHN, the friction pain and numbness with P values of 0.00 show a strong statistical significance followed by a puncture with a P value of 0.03. The scatter plot to assess the level of PHN severity and its relation to quality of life indicates that QL is related to neuropathic pain (NP). The average DN4 was 4/10. 82 % of cases, with or without neuropathic pain, had a better QL; 18 %, accompanied by NP, reported affectation in their QL. The average index value of the EQ5D5L was 0.814. Conclusions: It was concluded that the quality of life is affected in patients with postherpetic neuralgia.