• Jun Young Kim, Gyeong-Hun Park, Min Ji Kim, Hyun Bo Sim, Weon Ju Lee, Seok-Jong Lee, Shin-Woo Kim, Young Hoon Jeon, Yong Hyun Jang, and KimDo WonDWDepartment of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea..
• Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
• Ann Dermatol. 2018 Apr 1; 30 (2): 158-163.

BackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests a pivotal role for neuronal inflammation in response to replicating varicella zoster virus in the development of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).ObjectiveIn this study, we investigated the value of serum levels of various inflammatory markers in acute herpes zoster (HZ) as predictors for the development of PHN.MethodsA total of 116 patients with acute HZ were enrolled in this study. We measured scores on the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months after diagnosis of HZ. We defined PHN as pain greater than 1 on the VAS lasting for more than 6 months. Serum samples for laboratory assay, including complete blood count were obtained at the initial visit. Correlations between the levels of each inflammatory marker and the development of PHN were evaluated.ResultsLevels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), lymphocyte count, and albumin showed significant correlations with development of PHN in univariate analysis. Levels of ESR, CRP, and lymphocyte count also showed significant correlations in multivariate analysis. ESR level showed stronger correlations with development of PHN than levels of CRP and lymphocyte count.ConclusionIn this study, we confirmed that elevated ESR was an independent and significant predictor of PHN in patients with acute HZ. To validate these results, further well-designed, randomized clinical trials are needed.

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