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Updated: May 11, 2026

Development of an IFN-γ ELISpot Assay to Assess Varicella-Zoster Virus-specific Cell-mediated Immunity Following Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation
Published on: July 9, 2014
[Herpes zoster incidence in diabetic patients]
P Aldaz1, J A Díaz, J R Loayssa
1Centro de Salud de San Juan, Servicio Navarro de Salud, 31011 Pamplona. paldazhe@cfnavarra.es
Background:
To assess the risk of herpes zoster in people with diabetes mellitus in comparison with the general population.
Methods:
Using computerized clinical reports form primary health care in Navarre, Spain, we analyzed the incidence of herpes zoster in people aged over 30 years in 2006 by diagnosis of diabetes, and adjusting for age and sex.
Results:
Among 26,793 diabetes patients 409 cases of herpes zoster were diagnosed (15 per 1000). Nineteen point three percent of cases occurred in diabetes patients. Diabetes presented an adjusted relative risk of 2.1 (95% CI 1.9-2.4), and increased to 3.7 (95% CI 2.0-6.8) in the 30-44 year age group. Of the total number of cases of herpes zoster in the population, 7.2% were attributable to diabetes.
Conclusion:
Diabetes increases the risk of, and has a relevant role in, the incidence of herpes zoster.
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