Postherpetic Neuralgia Incidence and Prevention

Epidemiology and Risk Factors

Patients over 75 years have a higher incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), with approximately 75% developing PHN, according to the Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection 1

The American Academy of Neurology and other guideline societies imply that PHN accounts for 11-15% of all referrals to pain clinics and represents the most common and debilitating complication of herpes zoster, particularly in the elderly, with patients demonstrating higher consumption of healthcare services 1
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that vaccination against herpes zoster is the most effective strategy to prevent PHN, with the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV/Shingrix) demonstrating 88.8% efficacy against PHN in adults ≥70 years, and the live zoster vaccine (ZVL/Zostavax) showing 66.5% efficacy 2