CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
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Comparative Study
Risk of herpes zoster among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a population-based study.
Background Systemic inflammation and dysregulated immune function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is hypothesized to predispose patients to development of herpes zoster. However, the risk of herpes zoster among patients with COPD is undocumented. We therefore aimed to investigate the risk of herpes zoster among patients with COPD. ⋯ The adjusted HR of herpes zoster was slightly greater for patients with COPD using inhaled corticosteroids only (adjusted HR 2.09, 95% CI 1.38-3.16) and was greatest for patients with COPD using oral steroids (adjusted HR 3.00, 95% CI 2.40-3.75). Interpretation Patients with COPD were at increased risk of herpes zoster relative to the general population. The relative risk of herpes zoster was greatest for patients with COPD using oral steroids.