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Updated: Jun 29, 2025

A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation
Published on: April 2, 2012
Pain type and neuropathic pain components in acute herpes zoster
Hanzade Aybüke Ünal1, Neslihan Demirel Öğüt2, Emel Güler3
1Department of Algology, Health Sciences University Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate the pain type (nociceptive or neuropathic) and neuropathic pain components in patients with acute herpes zoster (HZ).
Methods:
Patients with acute HZ referred to the outpatient Dermatology and Venereology clinic between January 2021 and January 2022 were retrospectively detected. The demographic data including gender and age, rash localization, pain severity, and neuropathic pain components were recorded. Pain severity and neuropathic pain components were evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4), respectively.
Results:
The study included a total of 58 patients, comprising 33 females and 25 males. Of these patients, 35 (60.3%) were found to have neuropathic pain. Itching, burning, pins and needles, and tingling were the most frequently reported neuropathic pain signs and symptoms. The proportion of female patients with neuropathic pain was found to be significantly higher than that of male patients (p=0.021). No significant differences were observed in the distribution of pain across different body sites or in the age of patients with neuropathic pain (p>0.05). Itching was significantly more common in younger patients (p=0.02).
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the study found that over half of the patients with acute HZ experienced neuropathic pain, and this was more frequently observed in female patients. Analysis of different components of neuropathic pain showed significant differences in age, gender, and site distribution. The findings of this study may have important implications for the manage-ment and treatment of acute HZ.
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