TUESDAY, Feb. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Repeat cases of shingles may
be more common than suspected, contends a new study that challenges
the long-held belief that people only get shingles once in a
lifetime.
People with shingles develop a specific type of rash and
sometimes severe pain. The condition is caused by the herpes zoster
virus.
Researchers at the Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester, Minn.,
analyzed the medical records of nearly 1,700 patients, aged 22 and
older, diagnosed with shingles between 1996 and 2001.
Over an average follow-up of eight years, the shingles
recurrence rate was more than 5 percent. That's the same percentage
of first cases that would be expected in the same age group in the
general population, according to the authors of the study published
in the February issue of the journal
Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
"And that's only within eight years. As you continue to follow these patients throughout their lives, it's likely the recurrence rate will be much higher than 5 percent," lead author Dr. Barbara Yawn, director of research at Olmsted, said in a journal news release.
It's known that women are more likely than men to get shingles,
and this study found that they are also more likely to experience a
recurrence of the disease.
The researchers also concluded that pain during the initial
episode of shingles appears to be the most important predictor of
recurrence. Patients with pain that lasted more than 30 days after
the initial onset of shingles were more likely to experience a
recurrence, especially in the first three to four years after the
initial episode.
Older age did not appear to be a risk factor for recurrence.
The herpes zoster vaccine, which reduces first-time occurrences
of shingles by 50 percent, may help prevent a second episode in
patients, the researchers suggested.
"Until now, we haven't been able to tell patients their risks of getting zoster a second time. This study offers another piece of information for patients and doctors who are discussing the likelihood of recurrence and considering a prevention strategy," Yawn said.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about
shingles.