Impact of Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus on Healthcare Utilization and Patient Reported Outcomes: Results from a Multicenter Cohort Study
Moderator
Kejsi Begaj, MS, PharmD, GSK & Rutgers Center of Health Outcomes,Policy and Economics, Wood Ridge, NJ, United States
Speakers
Laura Pizzi, MPH, PharmD, ISPOR, Lawrenceville, NJ, United States; Benjamin Leiby; Ayako Shimada; David Chu; Herbert Ingraham; Emily Gower; Joseph Shovlin; Beth Friedland; Haresh Ailani; Katherine M. Prioli, MS; Alin Kalayjian; Justin Gatwood, MPH, PhD, GSK Vaccines, Old Hickory, TN, United States; Ann Murchison
OBJECTIVES: This prospective cohort study measured the burden of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) at 6 United States ophthalmology practices from 2019-2024.
METHODS: English/Spanish-speaking patients aged ≥18 years with active HZO, not enrolled in a concurrent HZO trial, were recruited after physician evaluation. Data were collected at 4 time points (T=0, 3, 6, 12 months), included clinical assessment, patient questionnaires on symptoms, healthcare utilization, and outcomes using validated instruments: National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) for vision-related quality of life; Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) for depressive symptoms; Zoster Brief Pain Inventory (ZBPI) for pain; and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Specific Health Problem (WPAI-SHP) for productivity (among those working). Descriptive statistics and generalized linear mixed models examined changes in outcomes over time for PHQ-8 and healthcare utilization.
RESULTS: A total of 129 HZO patients (mean age=63.9 years, SD=14.1) completed the clinical assessment (34.5% localized deep pain; 32.7% redness; 30.0% periorbital rash; 24.5% localized burning, 23.6% localized itching, 21.8% active blistering, 9.1% healing blisters). The baseline survey was completed by 104 patients (66.4% white, 59.6% female, 28.8% shingles-vaccinated). Mean NEI-VFQ-25 score improved from 81.6 (SD=15.9) at baseline to 85.9 (SD=12.9) at 12 months. Average worst pain ZBPI score decreased from 1.6 (SD=2.7) at baseline to 0.9 (SD=2.1) at 12 months. Work productivity loss decreased from 16.6% (N=44, SD=23.7) at baseline to 8.8% (N=40, SD=17.1) at 12 months. HZO-related healthcare utilization, with a recall period of 3 months, was high at baseline with 89.4% reporting outpatient visits and 31.7% reporting emergency room or urgent care visits, but decreased to 67.8% (p=0.037) and 12.2% (p=0.004) at 12 months, respectively. Mean PHQ-8 score improved from 4.6 (SD=5.0) at baseline to 2.7 (SD=3.2) at 12 months (p=0.028).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of assessing the HZO burden on patients to best manage its impact and associated healthcare utilization.
METHODS: English/Spanish-speaking patients aged ≥18 years with active HZO, not enrolled in a concurrent HZO trial, were recruited after physician evaluation. Data were collected at 4 time points (T=0, 3, 6, 12 months), included clinical assessment, patient questionnaires on symptoms, healthcare utilization, and outcomes using validated instruments: National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) for vision-related quality of life; Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) for depressive symptoms; Zoster Brief Pain Inventory (ZBPI) for pain; and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Specific Health Problem (WPAI-SHP) for productivity (among those working). Descriptive statistics and generalized linear mixed models examined changes in outcomes over time for PHQ-8 and healthcare utilization.
RESULTS: A total of 129 HZO patients (mean age=63.9 years, SD=14.1) completed the clinical assessment (34.5% localized deep pain; 32.7% redness; 30.0% periorbital rash; 24.5% localized burning, 23.6% localized itching, 21.8% active blistering, 9.1% healing blisters). The baseline survey was completed by 104 patients (66.4% white, 59.6% female, 28.8% shingles-vaccinated). Mean NEI-VFQ-25 score improved from 81.6 (SD=15.9) at baseline to 85.9 (SD=12.9) at 12 months. Average worst pain ZBPI score decreased from 1.6 (SD=2.7) at baseline to 0.9 (SD=2.1) at 12 months. Work productivity loss decreased from 16.6% (N=44, SD=23.7) at baseline to 8.8% (N=40, SD=17.1) at 12 months. HZO-related healthcare utilization, with a recall period of 3 months, was high at baseline with 89.4% reporting outpatient visits and 31.7% reporting emergency room or urgent care visits, but decreased to 67.8% (p=0.037) and 12.2% (p=0.004) at 12 months, respectively. Mean PHQ-8 score improved from 4.6 (SD=5.0) at baseline to 2.7 (SD=3.2) at 12 months (p=0.028).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of assessing the HZO burden on patients to best manage its impact and associated healthcare utilization.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
PCR24
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes
Disease
SDC: Infectious Disease (non-vaccine), SDC: Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin)