Earlier treatment improves the chances of complete relief from postherpetic neuralgia
The Korean Journal of Pain
;
: 214-219, 2017.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-64612
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
As herpes zoster progresses via postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) to well-established PHN, it presents its recalcitrant nature to the treatment. At this point, the well-established PHN is fixed as a non-treatable, but manageable chronic painful neuropathic disorder. This study evaluated the incidence of complete relief from PHN according to PHN duration at their first visit, and the other factors influencing it.METHODS:
A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with PHN at a university-based pain clinic over 7 years. The responders were defined as patients who had complete relief from pain after 1 year of active treatment. Age, sex, PHN duration at their first visit, dermatomal distribution, and underlying disorders were compared in the responder and non-responder groups. Responders were also compared according to these factors.RESULTS:
Among 117 PHN patients (M/F = 48/69), 35 patients (29.9%) had complete relief from PHN. Mean ages were 64.3 ± 10.6 and 66.9 ± 10.7 years, numbers of male to female patients were 11/24 and 37/45, and mean durations of PHN at their first visit were 8.5 ± 6.3 and 15.3 ± 10.7 months in the responder and non- responder groups, respectively. In addition, PHN patients who visited the clinic before 9 months showed a better result. Dermatomal distribution and underlying disorders did not show significant differences.CONCLUSIONS:
Almost 30% of PHN patients received complete relief. Those who sought treatment in a pain clinic before 9 months received a better result.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Incidence
/
Retrospective Studies
/
Pain Clinics
/
Neuralgia, Postherpetic
/
Exanthema
/
Chronic Pain
/
Herpes Zoster
Type of study:
Incidence study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
The Korean Journal of Pain
Year:
2017
Type:
Article
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