Association of herpes zoster and chronic inflammatory skin disease in US inpatients

Background: Patients with chronic inflammatory skin disease (CISD) have potential risk factors for herpes zoster (HZ). However, little is known about HZ risk in CISD. Objective: To determine whether CISD is associated with HZ. Methods: Data were analyzed from the 2002 to 2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a representative cohort of US hospitalizations (N = 68,088,221 children and adults). Results: In multivariable logistic regression models including age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance, household income, and long-term systemic corticosteroid use, hospitalization for HZ was associated with atopic dermatitis (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.38 [1.14-1.68]), psoriasis (4.78 [2.83-8.08]), pemphigus (1.77 [1.01-3.12]), bullous pemphigoid (1.77 [1.01-3.12]), mycosis fungoides (3.79 [2.55-5.65]), dermatomyositis (7.31 [5.27-10.12]), systemic sclerosis (1.92 [1.47-2.53]), cutaneous lupus erythematosus (1.94 [1.10-3.44]), vitiligo (2.00 [1.04-3.85]), and sarcoidosis (1.52 [1.22-1.90]). Only lichen planus (crude odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 3.01 [1.36-6.67]), Sezary syndrome (12.14 [5.20-28.31]), morphea (2.74 [1.36-5.51]), and pyoderma gangrenosum (2.44 [1.16-5.13]) showed increased odds in bivariable models. Sensitivity analyses among those younger than 60 and younger than 50 years showed similar results. Predictors of HZ in CISD included female sex, fewer chronic conditions, and long-term systemic corticosteroid use. Limitations: Cross-sectional study. Conclusions: Many CISDs are associated with increased hospitalization for HZ, even below the ages recommended for HZ vaccination. Additional studies are needed to establish CISD-specific vaccination guidelines.

Automated summary

Research on patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases suggests that many CISDs may increase the risk of hospitalization for herpes zoster, indicating the need for further studies and the development of specific vaccination guidelines.