ĐẶC ĐIỂM LÂM SÀNG VÀ MỘT SỐ YẾU TỐ LIÊN QUAN ĐẾN MỨC ĐỘ ĐAU Ở BỆNH NHÂN ZONA TẠI KHOA DA LIỄU BỆNH VIỆN ĐA KHOA HẢI DƯƠNG NĂM 2025

Abstract

Background: Herpes Zoster (Shingles) is among the most common viral skin diseases, caused by the reactivation of the latent Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) in the cranial nerve ganglia or dorsal root ganglia following a primary varicella infection.

Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics and analyze factors associated with pain severity in patients with Herpes Zoster at the Department of Dermatology, Hai Duong General Hospital in 2025.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 63 patients diagnosed with Herpes Zoster at the Dermatology Department of Hai Duong General Hospital from October 2025 to March 2026.

Results: Among the 63 patients, males accounted for 52.4% and females 47.6%, with those aged 50 and older making up 87.3%. Pain was the most common symptom and the primary reason 87.3% of patients sought care, followed by blisters at 11.1%. The most frequent prodromal symptom was a burning sensation (81%), followed by aching (71,4%) and itching (15.9%), while fever and swollen lymph nodes were rare. A prodromal duration of over three days occurred in 81% of cases. During the eruptive stage, fatigue was the most common symptom (52.4%), whereas swollen lymph nodes, dizziness, and nausea were rare or absent. Severe pain was reported by 92.1% of patients, compared to 7.9% with mild pain, showing that most experienced moderate-to-severe pain. Lesions occurred on the right side in 57.1% of cases and on the left in 42.9%, with no bilateral involvement. The head and face area was the most affected site (33.3%). Lesion size was small in 25.4% (16 cases), moderate in 27% (17 cases), and extensive in 47.6% (30 cases). Analysis showed that patients aged 50 and older had a 15.9-fold higher risk of moderate-to-severe pain compared to those under 50. A prodromal burning sensation increased the risk of severe pain by 8.17 times. Lesion size significantly correlated with pain severity (p = 0.019), with moderate-to-severe pain rates in mild, moderate, and extensive lesion groups reaching 100%, 76.5%, and 96.7%, respectively. Gender, prodromal duration, prodromal aching, fever, underlying medical conditions, and lesion location had no statistically significant impact on pain levels.

Conclusions: Herpes zoster primarily affects individuals aged 50 and older (87.3%), with no significant gender disparity. Pain is the dominant symptom, with 95.2% of patients scoring DN4 ≥ 4 and 87.3% seeking treatment because of it. Lesions are strictly unilateral (100%), most commonly on the head and face (33.3%). A prodromal burning sensation (81%), age 50 or older, and lesion extent are statistically significant factors associated with moderate-to-severe pain.