OBJECTIVES: There are several causes for peripheral neuropathy, including painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). DPN is a common complication of diabetes mellitus and can have debilitating consequences with significant impact on quality of life. PHN is the most common complication that follows resolution of acute herpes zoster infection and healing of zoster rash and consists and is characterised by chronic pain. Our aim was to identify and compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) dimensions in patients with PDN and PHN. METHODS: Thirty patients, 15 with DPN and 15 with PHN, participated in semi-structured individual interviews and were asked to cite important concepts related to the impact of PDN or PHN on HRQoL. All patient responses were coded. Code frequency and bother ratings were used to identify salient patient experiences. RESULTS: Results indicated that patients of both populations experienced pain, sleep disorder, tiredness, limited mobility, social isolation and loneliness, a restricted life, loss of control, and fear for the future. Pain and particularly intermittent pain was reported as the most bothersome symptom. Patients discussed the implication of chronic persistent pain in terms of the limitations on their mobility that subsequently prevented them to engage in a large number of activities. Results showed a similar impact of the pain on the social, work and role functioning of the patients with PHN or DPN. Although resolution of the pain is possible for the PHN patients while worsening of the symptoms is more probable for PDN patients, both PHN and PDN patients experienced feelings of depression. Also, anxiety due to the pain and the unpredictable nature of the pain is consistently affecting patients with PDN or PHN CONCLUSIONS: The concepts reported by PDN and PHN patients are similar and seem to have significant impact on patient’s quality of life.