Association between Herpes Zoster and Osteoporosis: A Nested Case-Control Study Using a National Sample Cohort

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Osteoporosis is a growing concern, particularly in aging populations.
• Chronic inflammatory conditions are increasingly linked to osteoporosis.
• The association between herpes zoster (shingles) and osteoporosis requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between herpes zoster and osteoporosis in Korean residents aged 50 years and older.
• To estimate the odds ratio of herpes zoster in patients diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Main Methods:

• A population-based cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (2002-2013).
• Matched analysis of 68,492 osteoporosis patients and 68,492 controls (1:1 ratio) based on age, sex, income, and region.
• Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for herpes zoster history.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of herpes zoster was higher in the osteoporosis group (5.1%) compared to the control group (4.0%).
• The adjusted odds ratio for herpes zoster in osteoporosis patients was 1.17 (95% CI = 1.11-1.24).
• Subgroup analyses showed increased ORs for males under 65 (1.34), females under 65 (1.20), and males 65 and older (1.19).

Conclusions:

• Herpes zoster occurrence is significantly associated with osteoporosis in Korean adults aged 50 and above.
• This association was consistent across various age and sex subgroups, with the exception of women aged 65 and older.
• The findings suggest a potential link between herpes zoster and osteoporosis, warranting further research into underlying mechanisms.