PATIENT-CENTERED INSIGHTS INTO THE BURDEN AND IMPACT OF HERPES ZOSTER IN ADULTS AGED 50-64 YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES
Author(s)
Justin Carrico, MS1, Janna Manjelievskaia, MPH, PhD2, Natalia Coenen, MPH2, Monica Silver, PhD, MPH2, Nikita Stempniewicz, MSc1, Justin Gatwood, PhD1;
1GSK, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 2Veradigm, Raleigh, NC, USA
1GSK, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 2Veradigm, Raleigh, NC, USA
OBJECTIVES: To describe the experience of United States adults aged 50-64 years with recent herpes zoster (HZ) in terms of symptoms, management, and impacts on quality of life and daily functioning.
METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed HZ were identified within the Veradigm Network Electronic Health Record database. Eligible respondents were aged 50-64 years and had no immunocompromising conditions/medications, no prior HZ vaccination, and no recent HZ diagnosis (in the past year). Subjects were recruited for a survey study via a patient engagement platform; a subset was enrolled during July-October 2025 and underwent 15-30-minute semi-structured telephone interviews 30-60 days after their HZ diagnosis. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, summarized, and thematically analyzed.
RESULTS: Of 23 subjects (15 female, 19 White, 20 non-Hispanic), 16 were working full- or part-time. Comorbidities were common, including cardiovascular disease (n=10), diabetes (n=3), and chronic kidney disease (n=2). At symptom onset, 19 did not suspect HZ, with 10 initially suspecting an environmental reaction and 2 an allergic reaction to medication as the cause of symptoms. All subjects were prescribed medication to manage their symptoms, and 9 also used over-the-counter creams. Nearly all (n=21) subjects indicated that HZ had a negative impact on sleep due to pain, itching, or general discomfort. Most subjects reported that HZ resulted in a reduction in social activities (n=17), negative effects on physical functioning (n=16), difficulties with activities of daily living (n=15), and an emotional toll (n=14). Twelve said that wearing clothing was uncomfortable. Among those who worked, there were reports of missed workdays (n=5) and reduced productivity (n=5). Eighteen subjects were concerned about HZ recurrence and 19 expressed a desire for, or willingness to consider, HZ vaccination.
CONCLUSIONS: HZ symptoms can impact negatively on quality of life and daily function, underscoring the importance of HZ education and prevention. Funding: GSK (study identifier: 223023).
METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed HZ were identified within the Veradigm Network Electronic Health Record database. Eligible respondents were aged 50-64 years and had no immunocompromising conditions/medications, no prior HZ vaccination, and no recent HZ diagnosis (in the past year). Subjects were recruited for a survey study via a patient engagement platform; a subset was enrolled during July-October 2025 and underwent 15-30-minute semi-structured telephone interviews 30-60 days after their HZ diagnosis. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, summarized, and thematically analyzed.
RESULTS: Of 23 subjects (15 female, 19 White, 20 non-Hispanic), 16 were working full- or part-time. Comorbidities were common, including cardiovascular disease (n=10), diabetes (n=3), and chronic kidney disease (n=2). At symptom onset, 19 did not suspect HZ, with 10 initially suspecting an environmental reaction and 2 an allergic reaction to medication as the cause of symptoms. All subjects were prescribed medication to manage their symptoms, and 9 also used over-the-counter creams. Nearly all (n=21) subjects indicated that HZ had a negative impact on sleep due to pain, itching, or general discomfort. Most subjects reported that HZ resulted in a reduction in social activities (n=17), negative effects on physical functioning (n=16), difficulties with activities of daily living (n=15), and an emotional toll (n=14). Twelve said that wearing clothing was uncomfortable. Among those who worked, there were reports of missed workdays (n=5) and reduced productivity (n=5). Eighteen subjects were concerned about HZ recurrence and 19 expressed a desire for, or willingness to consider, HZ vaccination.
CONCLUSIONS: HZ symptoms can impact negatively on quality of life and daily function, underscoring the importance of HZ education and prevention. Funding: GSK (study identifier: 223023).
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
PCR86
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Disease
SDC: Infectious Disease (non-vaccine)