Risk of Stroke Following Herpes Zoster: A Self-Controlled Case-Series Study
Open Access
- 2 April 2014
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Clinical Infectious Diseases
- Vol. 58 (11), 1497-1503
- https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciu098
Abstract
Adults developing zoster are at increased risk of stroke for 6 months with a >3-fold increased risk following zoster ophthalmicus. Incidence ratios of stroke were lower among those receiving antiviral drugs compared with untreated individuals, suggesting a possible protective effect. Background. Herpes zoster is common and vaccine preventable. Stroke risk may be increased following zoster, but evidence is sparse and could be explained by differences between people with and without zoster. Our objective was to determine if stroke risk is increased following zoster. Methods. Within-person comparisons were undertaken using the self-controlled case-series method and data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (1987–2012). Participants had a first-ever diagnosis of zoster and stroke within the study period. Stroke incidence in periods following zoster was compared with incidence in other time periods. Age-adjusted incidence ratios (IRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results. A total of 6584 individuals were included. Stroke rate was increased following zoster compared with the baseline unexposed period, then gradually reduced over 6 months: weeks 1–4 (age-adjusted IR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.32–2.02), weeks 5–12 (IR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.21–1.68), and weeks 13–26 (IR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07–1.42), with no increase thereafter. A stronger effect was observed for individuals with zoster ophthalmicus, rising to a >3-fold rate 5–12 weeks after zoster. Oral antivirals were given to 55% of individuals: IRs for stroke were lower among those receiving antivirals compared with those not treated, suggesting a protective effect. Conclusions. We have established an increased stroke rate within 6 months following zoster. Findings have implications for zoster vaccination programs, which may reduce stroke risk following zoster. The low antiviral prescribing rate needs to be improved; our data suggest that antiviral therapy may lead to a reduced stroke risk following zoster.Keywords
This publication has 32 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Short- and Long-Term Risk of Stroke after Herpes Zoster - A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort StudyPLOS ONE, 2013
- Prescription of antiviral therapy after herpes zoster in general practice: who receives therapy?British Journal of General Practice, 2012
- Comparing Shingles Incidence and Complication Rates From Medical Record Review and Administrative Database Estimates: How Close Are They?American Journal of Epidemiology, 2011
- The impact of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia on quality-of-lifeBMC Medicine, 2010
- Herpes zoster ophthalmicus and the risk of strokeNeurology, 2010
- Validation and validity of diagnoses in the General Practice Research Database: a systematic reviewBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2009
- Increased Risk of Stroke After a Herpes Zoster AttackStroke, 2009
- Varicella zoster virus vasculopathies: diverse clinical manifestations, laboratory features, pathogenesis, and treatmentThe Lancet Neurology, 2009
- Clinical Diagnosis of Herpes Zoster in Family PracticeAnnals of Family Medicine, 2007
- Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Stroke after Acute Infection or VaccinationThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2004