Kobkul AunhachokeValai BussaratidPornchai ChirachanakulBoosbun Chua-IntraJittima DhitavatKanokporn JaisathapornJaranit KaewkungwalKowit KampirapapThiravud KhuhapremaKulprapat PairayayutakulPunnee PitisuttithumJirot SindhvanandaYupin ThaipisuttikulPhramongkutklao College of MedicineMahidol UniversityThailand Ministry of Public HealthNational Cancer Institute ThailandInstitute of Dermatology ThailandRaj Pracha Samasai InstituteRajavithi Hospital2018-05-032018-05-032011-04-01International Journal of Dermatology. Vol.50, No.4 (2011), 428-43513654632001190592-s2.0-79952750265https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/12579Objectives This study aimed to measure the herpes zoster-associated burden of illness, healthcare utilization, and costs among Thai patients. Methods This prospective cohort study of 180 patients aged ≥50years and healthy, or ≥20years and immunosuppressed, with zoster rash, was conducted in Bangkok and its environs, Thailand, during 2007-2008. Each patient was followed for sixmonths for zoster-associated rash, pain, quality of life (QoL), and healthcare utilization and costs. Results A total of 180 subjects were enrolled in the study. Their mean±standard deviation (SD) age was 58.9±13.8years. Of the 180 patients enrolled, 138 (76.7%), 34 (18.9%) and eight (4.4%) patients were elderly, HIV-infected, and receiving immunosuppressive agents, respectively; 35 (19.4%) had post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), and 13 (7.2%) had zoster ophthalmicus. The severity of zoster pain was moderately highly correlated with activities of daily living (ADL), at 0.68≤ρ≤0.76. Most patients required only one or two outpatient visits. The mean±SD total of direct healthcare costs was 3083.4±5047.0 Thai baht or ∼1.1% of annual income per capita. Conclusions Herpes zoster contributes a significant burden of illness to both patients and the wider community. © 2011 The International Society of Dermatology.Mahidol UniversityMedicineArticleSCOPUS10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04715.x