Whitley et al identified risk factors associated with persistent pain following an episode of Herpes zoster. These can help identify a patient who may require closer monitoring and more aggressive management. The authors are from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Glaxo Wellcome Research and Development in England.
Parameters:
(1) age of the patient
(2) prodromal pain or discomfort
(3) pain severity at presentation
Parameter
Finding
Points
age of the patient
< 50 years of age
0
>= 50 years of age
1
prodromal pain or discomfort
absent
0
present
1
pain severity at presentation
none
0
mild
0
moderate or severe
1
number of risk factors =
= SUM(points for all 3 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum number of risk factors: 0
• maximum number of risk factors: 3
• The presence of 2 or 3 risk factors was associated with increased risk of persistent pain.
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