Evaluation of the economic burden of Herpes Zoster (HZ) infection

Characteristics and economic burden of hospitalized patients with herpes zoster in China, before vaccination

Herpes zoster (HZ) brings a significant economic burden. The HZ vaccine was introduced in China for the first time in 2020, and there is a lack of up-to-date information on the hospitalization costs and characteristics prior to vaccination. This study aimed to describe the characteristics and economic burden of HZ inpatients in Hunan Province, China, and analyze the factors influencing the length of stay (LOS) and costs. This was a retrospective study and we extracted information from the Chinese National Health Statistics Network Reporting System on HZ inpatients in Hunan Province, China from 2017 to 2019. Spatial join tools and Global or Local Moran's Index were used for the geographic analysis of hospitalized HZ incidence. Multivariate linear regression models were used to analyze the factors influencing LOS and costs. There were 44,311 HZ inpatients included in this study, incurring a total of $31,857,734 medical costs. These patients had a median LOS of 8 days and a median expenditure of $573.47. Older age, more comorbidities, and the presence of complications with nervous system involved were all significantly associated with longer LOS and higher costs. HZ infection resulted in a large direct medical cost and heavy disease burden, especially in patients with advanced age or underlying medical conditions. The HZ vaccine has the potential to effectively reduce the disease burden and should be widely popularized especially among high-risk groups.

Return on Investment (ROI) of Three Vaccination Programmes in Italy: HPV at 12 Years, Herpes Zoster in Adults, and Influenza in the Elderly

The calculation of the return on investment (ROI) allows the estimation of the opportunity cost of a series of interventions and can therefore help to make allocative choices. The objective of this study is to estimate the ROI of three vaccinations (HPV for adolescents, HZ for adults, and influenza for the elderly) in the Italian context, considering the impact of increasing vaccination coverage based on target objectives of the National Immunization Plan (PNPV) 2017-2019 and accounting for different eligibility criteria of each vaccination. Three separate static cohort models were constructed, including the eligible population for these vaccinations on the basis of the PNPV 2017-2019 and following this population until death (lifetime horizon) or until vaccination waning. Each model compares the level of investment at current vaccine coverage rates (current VCRs scenario) with that of optimal NIP target VCRs with a non-vaccination scenario. The ROI for HPV vaccination was the highest among the programs compared and was always above 1 (range: 1.4-3.58), while lower values were estimated for influenza vaccination in the elderly (range 0.48-0.53) and for vaccination against HZ (range: 0.09-0.27). Our analysis showed that a significant proportion of savings generated by vaccination programs occurred outside the NHS perspective and might often not be estimated with other forms of economic evaluation.

Herpes zoster vaccine effectiveness against herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in New Zealand: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Herpes zoster (HZ) and associated complications cause significant burden to older people. A HZ vaccination programme was introduced in Aotearoa New Zealand in April 2018 with a single dose vaccine for those aged 65 years and a four-year catch up for 66-80 year-olds. This study aimed to assess the 'real-world' effectiveness of the zoster vaccine live (ZVL) against HZ and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Methods

We conducted a nationwide retrospective matched cohort study from 1 April 2018 to 1 April 2021 using a linked de-identified patient level Ministry of Health data platform. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate ZVL vaccine effectiveness (VE) against HZ and PHN adjusting for covariates. Multiple outcomes were assessed in the primary (hospitalised HZ and PHN - primary diagnosis) and secondary (hospitalised HZ and PHN: primary and secondary diagnosis, community HZ) analyses. A sub-group analysis was carried out in, adults ≥ 65 years old, immunocompromised adults, Māori, and Pacific populations.

Findings

A total of 824,142 (274,272 vaccinated with ZVL matched with 549,870 unvaccinated) New Zealand residents were included in the study. The matched population was 93.4% immunocompetent, 52.2% female, 80.2% European (level 1 ethnic codes), and 64.5% were 65-74 years old (mean age = 71.1±5.0). Vaccinated versus unvaccinated incidence of hospitalised HZ was 0.16 vs. 0.31/1,000 person-years and 0.03 vs. 0.08/1000 person-years for PHN. In the primary analysis, the adjusted overall VE against hospitalised HZ and hospitalised PHN was 57.8% (95% CI: 41.1-69.8) and 73.7% (95% CI:14.0-92.0) respectively. In adults ≥ 65 years old, the VE against hospitalised HZ was 54.4% (95% CI: 36.0-67.5) and VE against hospitalised PHN was 75·5% (95% CI: 19.9-92.5). In the secondary analysis, the VE against community HZ was 30.0% (95% CI: 25.6-34.5). The ZVL VE against hospitalised HZ for immunocompromised adults was 51.1% (95% CI: 23.1-69.5), and PHN hospitalisation was 67.6% (95% CI: 9.3-88.4). The VE against HZ hospitalisation for Māori was 45.2% (95% CI: -23.2-75.6) and for Pacific Peoples was 52.2% (95% CI: -40.6 -83·7).

Interpretation

ZVL was associated with a reduction in risk of hospitalisation from HZ and PHN in the New Zealand population.

Funding

Wellington Doctoral Scholarship awarded to JFM.

Activation of Interferon-Stimulated Genes following Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection in a Human iPSC-Derived Neuronal In Vitro Model Depends on Exogenous Interferon-α

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection of neuronal cells and the activation of cell-intrinsic antiviral responses upon infection are still poorly understood mainly due to the scarcity of suitable human in vitro models that are available to study VZV. We developed a compartmentalized human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neuronal culture model that allows axonal VZV infection of the neurons, thereby mimicking the natural route of infection. Using this model, we showed that hiPSC-neurons do not mount an effective interferon-mediated antiviral response following VZV infection. Indeed, in contrast to infection with Sendai virus, VZV infection of the hiPSC-neurons does not result in the upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that have direct antiviral functions. Furthermore, the hiPSC-neurons do not produce interferon-α (IFNα), a major cytokine that is involved in the innate antiviral response, even upon its stimulation with strong synthetic inducers. In contrast, we showed that exogenous IFNα effectively limits VZV spread in the neuronal cell body compartment and demonstrated that ISGs are efficiently upregulated in these VZV-infected neuronal cultures that are treated with IFNα. Thus, whereas the cultured hiPSC neurons seem to be poor IFNα producers, they are good IFNα responders. This could suggest an important role for other cells such as satellite glial cells or macrophages to produce IFNα for VZV infection control.

Association of asthma and herpes zoster, the role of vaccination: A literature review

Herpes Zoster (HZ) is the reactivation of a previous infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which shares the same mode of transmission as HZ. It presents with painful erythematous vesicles in a dermatome which is characterized by a burning sensation before and after the rash. Any conditions with suppressed cellular immunity example diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, cardiovascular diseases, chronic steroid uses, malignancy, etc. causes reactivation of the virus. Impaired immune responses in asthma patients either in any age group may increase their susceptibility to HZ infection owing to skewed Th1/Th2 immunity, resulting in predominant Th2 conditions and an unwarranted Th2 cell response against respiratory allergens. Similarly, many studies have delineated the association of asthma with HZ. However, the relation between steroid use in asthma and HZ is uncertain, its immunosuppressive effect might be responsible for increased susceptibility to the infection. As HZ increases the economic burden and morbidity, its prevention should use vaccines. There are two types of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved vaccine available against HSV one of which is given as a single dose vaccine called Zostavax, for people 50-59 years but its efficacy falls after 3rd dose and on the subsequent 4th dose and is also contraindicated in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, pregnancy and people taking immunosuppressive drugs. Shingrix is preferred by FDA which is a two doses vaccine that is given 6 months apart for people above 50 years and to immunocompromised people. Hence, proper counseling and education about the risks of herpes should be informed to the patients with timely utilization of the vaccine.

External Therapy of Chinese Medicine for Herpes Zoster: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background. Herpes zoster (HZ) is a common skin disease that has a huge impact on the quality of life of sufferers. Antiviral therapy is a conventional treatment, but it still has limitations. This review evaluates the safety and efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of HZ. Methods. We identified randomized controlled trials from multiple electronic sources (including Embase, PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Knowledge, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and China Biology Medicine Disc (CBM)) and reference lists of relevant articles and extracted data and assessed risk of bias (Cochrane’s Risk of Bias tool). Pooled data are expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs), with 95% confidence intervals (CI) (random-effects model). Results. We included 15 trials (1811 participants) comparing acupuncture to medicine. Ten studies involving 1424 patients provided these data for the meta-analysis. The results showed that acupuncture as a control group had a higher clinical cure rate than Western medicine therapy (n = 1424, 95% Cl 2.19–3.14, I2 = 0%). Eleven studies used the visual analog scale (VAS), but only nine provided specific data, which we used as a continuous variable for data extraction. The meta-analysis also showed an SMD of −2.64 (n = 646, 95% CI −3.79–1.48, I2 = 97%) which showed great heterogeneity. Meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in the incidence of PHN in those who received acupuncture compared to pharmacotherapy (OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.04–2.86, I2 = 52%) which showed moderate heterogeneity. Economic indicators suggest that acupuncture costs less and has fewer adverse reactions. Conclusions. This review compares acupuncture therapy with conventional treatment and finds that the curative effects of acupuncture are exact, with fewer side effects. However, with the risk of bias and imprecision of the studies included, a concrete conclusion is difficult to draw. Thus, well-designed, rigorous studies are warranted in the future.

Indirect costs associated with skin infectious disease in children: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

There are limited data in the literature on the indirect costs associated with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in the pediatric population. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the indirect costs associated with SSTIs in children.

METHODS

The search was conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science up to January 2020. Thirteen search strategies were designed combining MeSH terms and free terms. SSTIs were defined as bacterial or viral infections, dermatomycoses, and parasitic infestations. Only primary studies were included. All analyzed costs were converted to 2020 Euros.

RESULTS

Thirteen of the identified publications presented indirect costs of SSTIs in children and were conducted in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Hungary, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Taiwan, and the USA. Nine studies described indirect costs associated with infection of Varicella-zoster virus: lost workdays by outpatient caregivers ranged from 0.27 to 7.8, and up to 6.14 if caring for inpatients; total productivity losses ranged from €1.16 to €257.46 per patient. Three studies reported indirect costs associated with acute bacterial SSTIs (community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in children: total productivity losses ranged from €1,814.39 to €8,224.06 per patient, based on impetigo, cellulitis, and folliculitis. One study of parasitic infestations (Pediculus humanus capitis) reported total indirect costs per patient of €68.57 (formal care) plus €21.41 due to time lost by parents in purchasing treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The economic burden of SSTIs is highly relevant but underestimated due to the lack of studies reporting indirect costs. Further cost studies will allow a better understanding of the magnitude of the financial burden of the disease.

Different dosages of valaciclovir for the treatment of herpes zoster in adults: A randomized clinical study

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

The dosages of valaciclovir used for herpes zoster treatment recommended by Chinese pharmaceutical companies can differ considerably from those reported in the literature. This randomized clinical study compares the efficacy and safety of different oral valaciclovir doses for the treatment of herpes zoster in adults.

METHODS

A total of 214 patients with herpes zoster were enrolled and randomized into two groups according to age: 98 patients in the 18-44-year group (younger patients) and 116 patients in the 45-74-year group (middle-aged and elderly patients). Patients in the two age groups were then prescribed different doses of valaciclovir. The high-dose group was administered 900 mg of valaciclovir, three times daily for 10 days, whereas the low-dose group was administered 300 mg of valaciclovir, two times daily for 10 days. The efficacy and side effects of these regimens were recorded on days 6, 11 and 30.

RESULTS

In total, 207 (of 214 enrolled) patients completed the study. Of the seven patients who discontinued the study, five discontinued because their follow-up time was not fixed and two withdrew after moving to other cities. At the 11th day after treatment, the clinical effect of high-dose valaciclovir groups were significantly better than that of the low-dose valaciclovir groups in middle-aged and elderly patients (p < 0.05). The difference in visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores between the two dose groups was statistically significant in middle-aged and elderly patients at the 6th day(p < 0.05), whereas there was no difference in younger patients (p > 0.05). The VAS scores were significantly lower in high-dose group than in low-dose group at day 11 in both groups of patients(p < 0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the time to skin scab improvement between the two different dose groups in younger patients (p > 0.05). Among middle-aged and elderly patients, the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) was significantly lower in the high-dose group than in the low-dose group (p < 0.05). The difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the high-dose and low-dose groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Overall, the main side effect was headache.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

The present study indicates that early treatment with high-dose valaciclovir can significantly reduce pain in patients, especially in elderly patients, in whom it can also reduce the incidence of PHN. In terms of safety, no significant difference was noted in the incidence of adverse reactions between high- and low-dose groups.

Intravenous Administration of Vitamin C in the Treatment of Herpes Zoster-Associated Pain: Two Case Reports and Literature Review

Background

Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute inflammatory neurocutaneous disease caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus. It is estimated that the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia following HZ is 10–20%. The leading risk factors of the prognosis are aging and immunity dysfunction. Vitamin C plays a pivoted role in enhancing white blood cell function. Epidemiological evidence and clinical studies have indicated an association between pain and suboptimal vitamin C status. At present, vitamin C has been used as an additional option in the treatment of HZ-associated pain. Despite the current controversy, case reports and randomized controlled studies have indicated that both acute- and postherpetic neuralgia can be dramatically alleviated following intravenous vitamin C infusions. Case Presentation. Two patients (male aged 72 and female 78 years) with HZ did not respond well to antiviral therapy and analgesics. Skin lesions in the right groin and front thigh healed after early antiviral therapy, but the outbreak of pain persisted in the male patient. The female patient presented to our clinic with clusters of rashes in the right forehead with severe edema of her right upper eyelid. Because nerve blockade could not be conducted for both patients, intravenous infusion of vitamin C was applied and resulted in an immediate remission of the breakthrough pain in the male patient and cutaneous lesions in the female patient.

Conclusions

The use of vitamin C appears to be an emerging treatment alternative for attenuating HZ and PHN pain. Hence, we recommend the addition of concomitant use of intravenously administered vitamin C into therapeutic strategies in the treatment of HZ-associated pain, especially for therapy-resistant cases. Furthermore, animal studies are required to determine analgesic mechanisms of vitamin C, and more randomized clinical trials are essential to further determine the optimal dose and timing of administration of vitamin C.

Patterns of prescription, hospitalizations and costs of herpes zoster in patients at risk, from a large Italian claims database

Purpose

This observational study aimed to investigate the incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) among at-risk subjects aged ≥50 years, characterize them and assess annual healthcare utilization and costs from the Italian National Health System (NHS) perspective.

Methods

Records of reimbursed drug prescriptions, hospitalizations and outpatient specialist care from the Fondazione ReS database were linked to identify patients aged ≥50 years at HZ risk (i.e. cardiovascular disease/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/diabetes/immunosuppression, according to the Italian National Vaccine Prevention Plan - PNPV 2017-2019) in 2013. New HZ events (incidence per 1,000) were researched in 2 years, and subjects with HZ in the previous year were excluded. Antiviral and pain therapy consumptions, hospitalizations for HZ and costs paid by NHS were assessed annually.

Results

From 12,562,609 inhabitants in 2013, a total of 1,004,705 patients (18.5% aged ≥50 years) at risk without a previous event were selected. The 2-year incidence of HZ was 5.9 per 1,000 (mean age 74 ± 10 years; 54.3% female). Patients aged 80-89 (7.2 per 1,000), females (6.7 per 1,000) and immunosuppressed subjects (6.9 per 1,000) had the highest incidence rates. One year after the new HZ episode, 82.2% were treated with specific antivirals (79.3% brivudine), generating an annual average cost/treated of €106; 8.0% were hospitalized for HZ, with an average cost/hospitalized of €3,927; the overall mean cost/incident patient was €402.

Conclusions

This analysis provided HZ incidence in subjects aged ≥50 years considered at risk by the PNPV and its burden from the NHS perspective. Our findings can help health governance to improve clinical decisions and economic positioning concerning zoster vaccine plan.

Epidemiology of herpes zoster in the State of Qatar, 2012-2017

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the epidemiological features of herpes zoster (HZ) in Qatar. Methods: This study was a retrospective review of all reported HZ cases received by the surveillance unit at the Ministry of Public Health, between January 2012 and December 2017. Results: A total of 2815 cases were reported during the study period. The mean incidence of HZ was estimated to be 19/100,000 population, which increased from 9.8/100,000 in 2012 to 36.2/100,000 in 2017. The ratio of male/female was about 4:1. HZ incidence overall was found to be highest in those aged ≥ 50 years. According to nationality, the mean incidence of HZ was estimated to be 79/100,000 among Qataris and 101/100,000 among expatriates. Additionally, more HZ cases were notified during the hot months. Conclusion: Such epidemiological data will contribute to the baseline information, which is necessary for effective preventive and control measures to be implemented in the country.

Estimating the fiscal impact of three vaccination strategies in Italy

OBJECTIVES

When assessing the economic value of vaccines, decision makers should adopt a full societal perspective. One approach for estimation of the fiscal impact of a disease is to use the human capital method to determine productivity losses. The aim of this study was to test an analytical framework developed for the estimation of the fiscal impacts of vaccination programs for influenza (FLU), pneumococcus (PC), and herpes zoster (HZ), in Italy.

METHODS

We tested the framework in a two-stage analysis. First, we estimated the fiscal impact of the disease, second we performed a cost-benefit analysis of the individual benefits of vaccination against the cost of the vaccine. To estimate the fiscal impact of the diseases, the human capital approach was used. Epidemiological data were extrapolated from the literature. A Monte Carlo simulation enabled exploration of the uncertainty in the model variables.

RESULTS

For FLU, assuming 2.1 million people infected, the total expected impact was EUR 999,371,520; the estimated fiscal impact was EUR 159,563,520. For PC, assuming 90,000 people infected, the total impact was EUR 148,055,040 and the estimated fiscal impact was EUR 23,639,040. For HZ, assuming 6,400 people infected, the total impact was EUR 4,777,200, with EUR 630,000 resulting from a decrease in fiscal taxation.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our work shows how traditional methods aimed at estimating the cost of illness from a social perspective can be improved by additionally considering the fiscal impact, which accounts for the decrease in fiscal revenues due to illness.

Ultrasound-guided Pulsed Radiofrequency in the Management of Thoracic Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Randomized, Double-blinded, Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) for the intercostal nerves (ICNs) in the management of thoracic postherpetic neuralgia.

METHODS

After 2 weeks of treatment by pregabalin 150 mg/12 hours, patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups. The PRF group, after ultrasound-guided localization of the ICN of the affected thoracic dermatome, sensory stimulation of the ICN was tested. Thereafter, the patient received 2 cycles PRF at 42°C temperature, for 120 seconds. The sham group, after stimulation, the same time was spent to mimic PRF. The same procedures were repeated to the upper and lower adjacent ICNs. Pain intensity using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and total analgesics consumption were assessed at the baseline, every 2 weeks for 6 months then after 9 and 12 months. The duration of effective pain relief was recorded. Quality of life was evaluated using self-evaluation questionnaires (SF-36) at baseline then after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

RESULTS

PRF group expressed a significant decrease on the VAS throughout the study period. VAS<30 was reported in the PRF group until the 22nd week. Pregabalin and acetaminophen consumption was significantly lower in the PRF group. The 8 domains of the SF-36 revealed a significant improvement in the PRF group when compared with the sham group throughout the study period except for the physical role which displayed nonsignificant improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound-guided PRF for ICNs in combination with pharmacotherapy seems to be a safe and effective treatment modality for postherpetic neuralgia.

Varicella zoster virus vaccines: an update

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is the etiological agent of varicella, a highly infectious, self-limiting disease with serious complications. The decline in cell-mediated immunity (CMI) that occurs with aging or immunodepression causes a reactivation of the latent VZV as herpes zoster (HZ). Prevention of VZV through varicella vaccination strategies allows to avoid the primary infection in newborns and susceptible subjects. Available monovalent and combined VZV vaccines are effective, safe and generally well tolerated. Universal varicella vaccination has significantly impacted on incidence, complications and deaths related to this disease. Prevention of HZ through vaccination is a priority to avoid the significant burden of its incidence and complications. Currently two HZ vaccines are available. The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV), approved by the FDA in 2017 and Zoster Vaccine Live (ZVL) licensed in the United States by the FDA in 2006. The advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP) preferentially recommends RZV. ZVL remains an option for prevention of HZ in immunocompetent adults aged ≥60 years, although the CMI tends to wane a few years after vaccination.

Herpes zoster vaccination efficacy in the long-term care facility population: a qualitative systematic review

Background: The varicella zoster virus (VZV) can reactivate later in life as herpes zoster infection (HZI), a severe disease resulting in painful complications such as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). The herpes zoster (HZ) vaccine has been indicated for use among adults 50 years and older for prevention of HZI. Currently, no clinical practice guideline or funding exists specifically for HZ immunization in long-term care facilities (LTCF) for adults age >60 years. Objectives: This review summarizes the current literature available on the efficacy of HZ vaccine in adults over 60 years old residing in LTCF and evaluates the cost-effectiveness of the HZ vaccine. Methods: We conducted a literature search in PsycInFO, Embase and MEDLINE databases, and a grey literature search. The search was limited to the last 5 years (January 2013-April 2018). Studies that assessed the efficacy of the HZ vaccine in individuals 60 years old or older and met inclusion criteria were included. Results: A total of 423 studies were found: 10 studies met inclusion criteria and were deemed relevant to the objectives. All reviewed studies highlighted the efficacy of the HZ vaccine for the LTCF population. Conclusions: The studies reviewed showed the efficacy of the HZ vaccine in relevant elderly populations residing either in LTCF or in the community including those of advanced age with multiple comorbidities. Consideration can be given to the use of the HZ vaccine for individuals over 60 in LTCF, as well as in the community.

Costs of herpes zoster complications in older adults: A cohort study of US claims database

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Herpes zoster (HZ) incidence increases with age, and the burden of HZ is expected to grow with aging of populations worldwide. We aim to determine the incremental healthcare resource utilization and associated costs of patients with common HZ-related complications other than postherpetic neuralgia (cutaneous, neurologic and ophthalmic) compared to uncomplicated HZ.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of commercial health insurance claims covering about 40 million immunocompetent individuals aged ≥50 years at study entry from all over the US, from 2008 to 2013, with follow-up for one year after HZ onset. All-cause healthcare resource utilization and direct healthcare costs were recorded and calculated from six months before until 12 months after HZ onset. The mean costs for HZ patients with complications were compared to the mean costs for patients with uncomplicated HZ. Multivariable regression analyses estimated mean incremental costs adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, type of complication and time period.

RESULTS

Over the five-year study period, 22,948 HZ patients (60% women, median age 62 years) who experienced at least one of the selected complications were compared to 213,232 patients (63% women, median age 61 years) with uncomplicated HZ. Overall, the mean annual incremental unadjusted costs for the patients with HZ-related complications were US$4716, ranging from US$2173 for ophthalmic to US$18,323 for neurologic complications. Most of the incremental costs associated with HZ complications were accrued during the first quarter after HZ onset. For each complication type the incremental costs increased with age up to, but not including the oldest group, aged ≥80 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 10% of immunocompetent older patients with HZ develop complications which considerably increase the economic burden of HZ. Vaccination of older adults will offset some of the burden of HZ, including costs associated with HZ-related complications.

The Economic Burden and Impact on Quality of Life of Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia in Individuals Aged 50 Years or Older in Italy

Background

To estimate the health care resource utilization, costs, and impact on quality of life (QoL) of herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in adults aged ≥50 years in Italy.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational, multicenter, community physician–based surveillance study (NCT01772160) in Italy. Health-related QoL data were collected using the EuroQoL-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) and Zoster Brief Pain Inventory (ZBPI) questionnaires. Both questionnaires were assessed at days 0 (HZ rash onset), 15, 30, 60, and 90 for all patients, and monthly thereafter for patients who developed PHN. Resource utilization was recorded for 3 months post–HZ onset and 9 months for PHN patients. Costs from both payer and societal perspectives were estimated and were composed of direct medical costs (general practitioner/specialist visits, procedures, hospitalizations, medications), work loss by patient/caregiver, and transport costs.

Results

A total of 391 patients with HZ were included, of whom 40 developed PHN. The mean ZBPI worst pain score was 5.7 at day 0, reducing to 2.6 at day 30 and 0.7 by day 90. Patients with PHN had a mean worst pain score of 5.7 at day 90. We estimated an overall disutility associated with HZ of 0.134. The mean cost per HZ patient from a payer/societal perspective was €153/€298, respectively, and the mean cost per HZ patients who developed PHN was €176/€426, respectively.

Conclusions

HZ is associated with impaired QoL and substantial health care resource use, highlighting the need for preventive strategies. This could reduce the disease burden for the patient and health care system.

ClinicalTrials.gov study registry

NCT01772160.

Burden of Herpes Zoster in the Japanese Population with Immunocompromised/Chronic Disease Conditions: Results from a Cohort Study Claims Database from 2005-2014

Introduction

The aim of this study is to describe the disease burden and costs of herpes zoster (HZ) in the general adult Japanese population or patients with immunocompromised (IC) conditions or chronic disorders.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of individuals aged 18–74 years was conducted using January 2005 to December 2014 records from the Japan Medical Data Center claims database. Twenty-eight IC conditions and chronic disorders were defined by diagnosis codes and/or procedures/treatments. HZ and its related complications were identified. Incidence rates (IR), frequency of HZ-related complications, healthcare resource utilization (HRU), and direct medical costs were estimated. HRU and costs were estimated on a subcohort of HZ cases occurring April 2012–January 2014.

Results

The overall IR of HZ in the total cohort of 2,778,476 adults was 4.92/1000 person-years (PY) [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.86–4.98] and increased with age. The IR in the IC cohort (51,818 subjects) was 8.87/1000 PY (95% CI: 8.29–9.48), ranging from 5.55/1000 PY (95% CI: 4.26–7.09) in psoriasis to 151.68/1000 PY (95% CI: 111.45–201.71) in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients; most IRs were in the range 6–10/1000 PY. The IRs in individuals with chronic disorders were also relatively high, in the range 5.40–12.90/1000 PY. The frequency of postherpetic neuralgia was 4.01% (95% CI: 3.72–4.33) in the total cohort and 11.73% (95% CI: 9.01–14.93) in the IC cohort. The mean [standard deviation (SD)] number of outpatient visits was 3.4 (4.9) and 5.0 (5.7), respectively, and the proportion of HZ patients hospitalized was 2.20% and 6.70%, respectively. The mean (SD) direct medical cost per HZ episode was ¥34,664 (¥54,433) and ¥55,201 (¥92,642) in the total and IC cohort, respectively.

Conclusions

The elevated burden of HZ in Japanese individuals harboring IC conditions and chronic disorders documented in our study underlines the need for prevention of HZ in people with these conditions.

Funding

GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s13555-018-0268-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Economic Impact of Herpes Zoster Vaccine Disparities in Elderly United States Blacks

There are persistent disparities with regard to receipt of herpes zoster vaccine among elderly blacks, but no data is available regarding the public health or economic impact of these disparities. A decision tree was constructed with multiple Markov nodes in order to estimate the preventable cases of herpes zoster occurring among elderly blacks due to disparities in receipt of herpes zoster vaccine and to quantify the economic costs associated with these disparities. The model was constructed to examine the number of herpes zoster cases occurring among elderly blacks from the age of 60 to 84 over a 20 year period and also calculated costs due to herpes zoster complications and lost productivity. Achievement of health equity would prevent over 34,500 cases of herpes zoster from occurring in the future and avert over $180 million in lost productivity and treatment costs as a result of these cases of herpes zoster. These results help to show that thousands of cases of herpes zoster could be prevented if blacks were vaccinated at the same frequency as whites and help to show the benefit of implementing viable strategies to achieving this goal.

A novel nonlive, adjuvanted herpes zoster subunit vaccine: a report on the emerging clinical data and safety profile

Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute vesicular dermatitis with a typical dermatomal distribution, caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), often preceded and accompanied by prodromal pain or pruritus. HZ may be related to several complications such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The incidence and severity of the disease increase with aging, due to immunosenescence and in particular to the decline of the specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI). The impact of HZ in terms of morbidity and short- and long-term complications, the availability of suboptimal treatment options to date, and the high costs for the diagnostic and clinical-therapeutic management of patients have motivated the search for a new preventive approach through the development of a vaccine. The vaccine currently in use with live-attenuated virus (ZVL) has been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of HZ, its impact, and the onset of PHN, although the efficacy is lower in older subjects and tends to decrease some years after immunization. A new adjuvanted recombinant subunit vaccine (HZ/su), containing the VZV glycoprotein E (gE) and the AS01B adjuvant system, is now a very promising alternative to ZVL; in several clinical studies, it showed a good safety profile and was able to elicit high immune humoral and cell-mediated responses, both maintained up to 9 years. Furthermore, HZ/su vaccine was effective both in preventing HZ and in reducing the onset of PHN and other complications. HZ/su has been recommended and preferred over ZVL by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the prevention of HZ and its complications in immunocompetent adults aged ≥50 years, even if already vaccinated with ZVL, through a two-dose schedule. HZ/su has been approved in Canada, USA, Europe, and Japan and is currently being approved in Australia. The aim of this review was to describe the epidemiological data, HZ and PHN risks and their impact on the social life and common life of infected people, and ZVL and HZ/su vaccine development including various clinical trials and efficacy, safety, and tolerability profiles.

Herpes zoster in frail elderly patients: prevalence, impact, management, and preventive strategies

Population aging is a worldwide phenomenon with significant and manifold impacts on society. Advanced age correlates with the onset of frailty. In this vulnerable state, the immune response is weakened and a higher susceptibility to infectious diseases is observed. The present narrative review aims to cover the topic of herpes zoster (HZ) and its complications in frail populations. The lifetime risk of developing HZ is estimated at about 20-30%, and the risk increases with age. In older people, HZ can lead to the inability to recover the lifestyle, the interests, and the level of activity that existed before its development. Severity of the disease at presentation and depression are the major correlates of pain burden in patients with acute HZ and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The frail elderly need careful assessment prior to treatment initiation and could be affected to a greater extent by treatment-related adverse events. In light of the significant burden caused by HZ and its complications in the frail elderly, the adoption of a preventive strategy appears to be promising, particularly using vaccination in appropriate age- and risk-groups. Although very few vaccine studies consider explicitly the frail elderly as their study population, there is evidence that the live, attenuated vaccine induces significant immunological responses. An adjuvanted recombinant subunit vaccine has recently been approved in Canada, in the United States, in the European Union, and in Japan, and will likely provide additional opportunities for prevention.

Economic Burden of Herpes Zoster and Post-Herpetic Neuralgia in Adults 60 Years of Age or Older: Results from a Prospective, Physician Practice-Based Cohort Study in Kushiro, Japan

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Herpes zoster has a high incidence rate among people aged ≥ 60 years and can lead to serious complications such as post-herpetic neuralgia. There are currently no data on the economic burden of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in Japan, and the objective of this study was to address this gap.

METHODS

A total of 412 patients aged ≥ 60 years diagnosed with herpes zoster were recruited. Demographic, clinical, and healthcare resource utilization data on patients with herpes zoster or post-herpetic neuralgia collected via case report forms were used to estimate direct medical cost. Data obtained from a questionnaire survey among patients with herpes zoster/post-herpetic neuralgia were used to estimate transportation cost and productivity loss.

RESULTS

The mean number of outpatient visits was 5.7. Prescription medications were the main cost driver accounting for 60% of the direct medical cost. The mean direct medical and total herpes zoster-related costs per patient were ¥43,925 and ¥57,112, respectively, and were higher in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia than in those with herpes zoster without complications. Direct medical cost represented 77%, productivity loss 19%, and transportation cost 4% of the total.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study of the economic burden of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in Japan and it demonstrated substantial direct medical cost as a result of the multiple outpatient visits and prescription medications required. These findings provide baseline data for possible future economic evaluations of new herpes zoster/post-herpetic neuralgia interventions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This cost analysis is part of a prospective, physician practice-based cohort study conducted between June 2013 and February 2015 in Kushiro, Japan (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01873365, registered on 6 June, 2013).

Analysis of real-world health care costs among immunocompetent patients aged 50 years or older with herpes zoster in the United States

Few peer-reviewed publications present real-world United States (US) data describing resource utilization and costs associated with herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The primary objective of this analysis (GSK study identifier: HO-14–14270) was to assess direct costs associated with HZ and PHN in the US using a retrospective managed care insurance claims database. Patients ≥ 50 y at HZ diagnosis were selected. Patients were excluded if they were immunocompromised before diagnosis or received an HZ vaccine at any time. A subsample of patients with PHN was identified. Each patient with HZ was matched to ≤ 4 controls without HZ based on age, sex, and health plan enrollment. Incremental differences in mean HZ-related costs (“incremental costs”) were assessed overall and stratified by age. Multivariable regression models controlled for the effect of demographic characteristics, prediagnosis costs, and comorbidity burden on costs using a recycled predictions approach. Overall, 142,519 patients with HZ (9,470 patients [6.6%] had PHN) and 357,907 matched controls without HZ were identified. Resource utilization was greater among patients with HZ than controls. After adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, annual incremental health care costs for HZ patients vs. controls were $1,210 for patients aged 50–59 years, $1,629 for those 60–64 years, $1,876 for those 65–69 years, $2,643 for those 70–79 years, and $3,804 for those 80+ years; adjusted annual incremental costs among PHN patients vs. controls were $4,670 for patients 50–59 years, $6,133 for those 60–64 years, $6,451 for those 65–69 years, $8,548 for those 70–79 years, and $11,147 for those 80+ years. HZ is associated with a significant cost burden, which increases with advancing patient age. Vaccination may reduce costs associated with HZ through case avoidance.

Mitochondrial Haplogroups as a Risk Factor for Herpes Zoster

Background.  Herpes zoster, or shingles, is a common, painful reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus infection. Understanding host factors that predispose to herpes zoster may permit development of more effective prevention strategies. Our objective was to examine mitochondrial haplogroups as a potential host factor related to herpes zoster incidence. Methods.  Study participants were drawn from BioVU, a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) biobank connected to deidentified electronic medical records (EMRs) from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Our study used 9691 Caucasian individuals with herpes zoster status determined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes 053-053.9. Cases and controls were matched on sex and date of birth within 5 years. Mitochondrial haplogroups were defined from mitochondrial DNA variants genotyped on the Illumina 660W or Illumina Infinium Human-Exome Beadchip. Sex and date of birth were extracted from the EMR. Results.  European mitochondrial haplogroup H had a protective association with herpes zoster status (odds ratio [OR] = .82; 95% confidence interval [CI], .71-.94; P = .005), whereas haplogroup clade IWX was a risk factor for herpes zoster status (OR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.07-1.77; P = .01). Conclusions.  Mitochondrial haplogroup influences herpes zoster risk. Knowledge of a patient's mitochondrial haplogroup could allow for a precision approach to the management of herpes zoster risk through vaccination strategies and management of other modifiable risk factors.

Cost of Herpes Zoster in Patients With Selected Immune-Compromised Conditions in the United States

Among patients with common immune-compromised (IC) conditions in the United States, the healthcare cost associated with herpes zoster (HZ) was sizable and occurred mainly during the first quarter after diagnosis. And HZ-associated costs varied by age and underlying IC conditions.

Background. This retrospective study investigates the healthcare costs of herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with selected immune-compromised (IC) conditions in the United States (US).

Methods. Patients with incident HZ diagnosis (index date) were selected from nationwide administrative claims databases from 2005 to 2009. Baseline IC groups, analyzed separately, included adults aged 18–64 years with the following: human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), solid organ transplant (SOT), bone marrow or stem cell transplant (BMSCT), or cancer; and older adults (aged ≥65 years) with cancer. Herpes zoster patients (n = 2020, n = 1053, n = 286, n = 13 178, and n = 9089, respectively) were 1-to-1 matched to controls without HZ (with randomly selected index date) in the same baseline group. The healthcare resource utilization and costs (2014 US dollars) during the first 2 postindex quarters were compared between matched cohorts with continuous enrollment during the quarter.

Results. Herpes zoster patients generally had greater use of inpatient, emergency room and outpatient services, and pain medications than matched controls (P < .05). The incremental costs of HZ during the first postindex quarter were $3056, $2649, $13 332, $2549, and $3108 for HIV, SOT, BMSCT, cancer in adults aged 18–64 years, and cancer in older adults, respectively (each P < .05). The incremental costs of HZ during the second quarter were only significant for adults aged 18–64 years with cancer ($1748, P < .05). The national incremental costs of HZ were projected to be $298 million annually across the 5 IC groups.

Conclusions. The healthcare cost associated with HZ among patients with studied IC conditions was sizable and occurred mainly during the first 90 days after diagnosis.

How can the results of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) evaluations applied to vaccinations be communicated to decision-makers and stakeholders? The ISPOR Rome Chapter Project

HTA is considered the most comprehensive and transparent method of supporting decision-makers in their choices in Public Health. HTA on vaccines is being performed by many experts. However, they often present their studies to colleagues, but not to decisionmakers, who should be the main target and current users. It is therefore crucial to improve the transfer of scientific data to decision- makers and all stakeholders. The aims of the present project are: 1) to set up a team of experts to collect economic evaluations and HTA studies on vaccines and assess their actual use in decision-making processes; 2) to constitute regional working groups in order to identify the critical aspects of the communication process and identify the most appropriate method of data transfer. Systematic reviews of economic evaluations and HTA on vaccines and their actual use in decision-making will be used to draw up the basic documents for discussion by the 3 regional working boards. The working groups will discuss the current scientific evidence and communication methods and will try to implement a model of technology assessment with well-defined and objective criteria, in order to better fit pharmaco-economic and HTA methods to the field of vaccinations. Improving the transfer of HTA results to stakeholders, particularly decision-makers, will enable decisions to be taken on the basis of scientific evidence, and appropriate, sustainable actions to be undertaken.