[Statistical observations on patients with herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (author's transl)]

From 1969 to 1980, 83 patients with herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia were referred to our clinic. They consisted of 36 male and 47 female, whose ages ranged from 18 to 91 years. They were tested mainly with stellate ganglion block or epidural block. Patients with postherpetic neuralgia received imipramine 60 mg per day in addition. About half of the patients were relieved of pain or considerably improved after treatment. Other half of the patients somewhat improved excluding those patients whose therapeutic effect could not be assessed. More favourable results were obtained in patients whose treatment was instituted within 2 weeks from onset of herpes zoster than patients over 2 weeks from onset. Duration of treatment was shorter in younger patients (approximately 59 years) than older patients (60 years approximately), but results were same in both age groups. About 10% of the patients had concomitant malignant disease or autoimmune disease. No relationship between the localization of herpes zoster and the site of malignant disease was found.