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OBJECTIVES: Herpes zoster (HZ) substantially affects patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL), both in the acute phase and also in those developing postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Building upon a previous qualitative concept elicitation study in Canada, we adopted a similar approach to further understand the patient experience of HZ/PHN in Argentina and impact on quality of life and qualitatively validate the previously published conceptual model for Argentina. METHODS: (1) Comprehensive literature review of HZ impact on HRQoL in Latin America. (2) Qualitative concept elicitation interviews with participants aged ≥50 years with acute HZ or PHN. Verbatim interview transcripts underwent thematic and content analysis related to symptoms and impacts. RESULTS: Studies from the literature (n = 6) identified 5 dimensions of HZ impact on HRQoL: pain management, disease management, family life, work, and emotional impact. A total of 10 participants were interviewed (5 acute HZ and 5 with PHN) with a mean age of 68.5 years (range 50-77 years) and 60% female. All participants reported rash and pain (some reporting a migratory element), fatigue (7 of 10), and itchiness (4 of 10). HRQoL domains most commonly affected were activities of daily living (9 of 10), emotional functioning (8 of 10), physical functioning (8 of 10), and sleep (7 of 10). Emergent themes on disease management included the need for greater public disease awareness/education, participants with PHN seeking alternative/traditional medical therapies. CONCLUSIONS: This study qualitatively validates the previously reported HRQoL conceptual framework. HZ symptoms, especially acute and chronic pain, substantially impair various aspects of HRQoL, prompting some participants to seek out alternative medical treatments.

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BACKGROUND: Chronic post-herpetic neuralgia (CPHN) is a symptomatic condition that afflicts adults and elderly individuals. The chronicity of this symptomatology can be conditioned by the epigenetic modifications induced by the virus on the processes of neurotransmission and sensitivity to pain. The aim of this study is to investigate whether manipulating endogenous bioelectrical activity (EBA), responsible for neurotransmission processes and contributing to the induction of epigenetic modifications, can alleviate pain symptoms. METHODS: This manipulation was carried out with the antalgic neuromodulation (ANM) treatment of radioelectric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology. Pain assessment before and after treatment was performed using a numerical analog scale (NAS) and a simple descriptive scale (SDS). RESULTS: The results of the analysis showed an over four-point decrease in NAS scale score and over one point decrease in SDS scale score, with a statistical significance for both tests of p < 0.005. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study demonstrate how REAC ANM manipulation of EBA can lead to improvement in epigenetically conditioned symptoms such as CPHN. These results should prompt further research to expand knowledge and ensure optimized therapeutic outcomes.

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Resumen Introducción: el virus de la varicela zoster (VVZ) es un alfa herpesvirus, que causa la varicela y el herpes zóster (HZ). El HZ se manifiesta por la reactivación del VVZ, que persiste de forma latente en los ganglios de las raíces sensoriales dorsales o craneales después de la infección primaria. El HZ causa un rash extremadamente doloroso y con lesiones vesiculares y pruriginosas autolimitadas. Presentación del caso: paciente masculino de 71 años de edad con cuadro clínico de 20 días de evolución consistente en dolor intenso de tipo urente, localizado en los dermatomas T11-T12 del lado derecho, intensidad 8/10 en escala subjetiva del dolor y asociado con lesiones vesiculares, eritematosas y muy pruriginosas. Además, el paciente presentaba distensión del flanco abdominal derecho. La electromiografía informó una lesión parcial del 50% de los nervios intercostales derechos, con fenómeno de denervación parcial. Conclusiones: la parálisis abdominal postherpética es una complicación rara del HZ y requiere su reconocimiento para emitir un diagnóstico correcto y evitar intervenciones innecesarias.

Abstract Introduction: varicella zoster virus (VZV) is an alpha herpesvirus, which causes chickenpox and herpes zoster (HZ). HZ is manifested by reactivation of VZV, which persists latently in dorsal or cranial sensory root ganglia after primary infection. HZ causes an extremely painful rash with self-limited vesicular and itchy lesions. Case presentation: a 71-year-old male patient with a clinical picture of 20 days of evolution consisting of intense burning pain, located in the T11-T12 dermatomes on the right side, intensity 8/10 on the subjective pain scale and associated with vesicular, erythematous and very itchy lesions. Moreover, the patient presented distension of the right abdominal flank. Electromyography reported a partial lesion of 50% of the right intercostal nerves, with a phenomenon of partial denervation. Conclusions: postherpetic abdominal paralysis is a rare complication of HZ and requires its recognition to issue a correct diagnosis and avoid unnecessary interventions.

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Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is an entity derived from peripheral nerve damage that occurs during the reactivation of the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), which manifests itself through pain with neuropathic characteristics. This can prove to be very difficult to manage in the chronic stages of disease reappearance. There currently exists a multitude of treatment alternatives for PHN, however, prevention through the early initiation of antiviral regimens is vital. There are various pharmacological options available, but it is important to individualize each patient to maximize efficacy and minimize adverse effects. Interventional procedures have become a cornerstone in difficult-to-manage cases, and have shown promising outcomes when used in a multimodal approach by experienced specialists. It is necessary to make an objective diagnosis of PHN and start early treatment. Additionally there is current evidence that vouches for interventional therapies as well as individualization, with a clear establishment of therapeutic objectives according to the needs of each patient.

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This systematic review describes herpes zoster (HZ) economic burden in terms of healthcare resource use and cost outcomes in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. We searched online databases from 1 January 2000 to 20 February 2020 to identify eligible publications. We identified 23 publications that reported direct costs, indirect costs, and resources associated with HZ and its complications. The primary direct medical resources reported in the different studies were visits to doctors, transportation, days in the hospital, nursing, medication schedules, and physical therapy. Direct total costs per patient ranged from $99.99 to $4177.91. The highest cost was found in Brazil. Direct costs are, in average, 81.39% higher than indirect costs. The cost per patient that includes postherpetic neuralgia treatment is 115% higher on average for the directs and 73% for the indirect costs. Brazil reported a higher total cost per patient than Argentina and Mexico, while for indirect costs per patient, Brazil and Argentina had higher costs than Mexico, respectively. A meta-analysis on the number of days due to HZ hospitalization, performed on non-immunosuppressed patients over 65 years of age from three studies, resulted in a cumulative measure of 4.5 days of hospitalization. In the LAC region, the economic burden of HZ and associated complications is high, particularly among high-risk populations and older age groups. Preventative strategies such as vaccination could help avoid or reduce the HZ-associated disease economic burden in the LAC region.

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Abstract The present study was aimed to investigate the clinical significance of methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). This prospective case control study enrolled 319 cases of PHN patients from April 2017~December 2019. The patients' sleep quality and quality of life were evaluated using the Pittsburgh sleep quality score and the SF- 36 scale, respectively. The serum levels of MECP2, CRP, IL -6 and TNF-α were tested using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The pain condition of the patients was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The levels of MECP2 were significantly increased in PHN patients compared with the patients without PHN. Serum MECP2 levels were the highest in patients with severe pain, and were the lowest in patients with mild pain. Similarly, the frequency of severe pain in patients with low expression of MECP2 was significantly lower than the patients with higher MECP2 expression. Besides, serum levels of inflammatory factors CRP, IL -6 and TNF-α were markedly increased in PHN patients, which were also increased with the increase of the severity of pain. CRP, IL -6 and TNF-α were positively correlated with serum levels of MECP2 in PHN patients. Before the study, patients with lower MECP2 levels showed a significantly higher SF-36 score and lower Pittsburgh and VAS scores than patients with higher levels of MECP2. However, after one month, no significant difference was found between the patients. ROC curve showed MECP2 had the potential as a diagnostic biomarker for PHN. In conclusion, higher serum MECP2 levels are associated with a more severe pain condition and increased release of inflammatory factors.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la importancia clínica de la MECP2 en pacientes con neuralgia posherpética (NPH). Este estudio observacional prospectivo incluyó 319 pacientes con NPH entre abril de 2017 y diciembre de 2019. La calidad del sueño y la calidad de vida de los pacientes se evaluaron con la escala de calidad del sueño de Pittsburgh y la escala SF - 36, respectivamente. Los niveles séricos de MECP2, PCR, IL -6 y TNF-α fueron determinados por ELISA. Se utilizó la escala visual analógica (EVA) para evaluar la intensidad del dolor. Los niveles de MECP2 en pacientes con NPH aumentaron significativamente en comparación con los pacientes sin NPH. El nivel sérico de MECP2 fue más alto en pacientes con dolor grave y el más bajo en pacientes con dolor leve. Además, la incidencia de dolor grave en pacientes con baja expresión de MECP2 fue significativamente menor que en pacientes con alta expresión de MECP2. Además, los niveles séricos de PCR, IL -6 y TNF-α aumentaron significativamente en pacientes con NPH, y se incrementaron con el aumento del grado de dolor. Los niveles séricos de PCR, IL -6 y TNF-α en pacientes con NPH se correlacionaron positivamente con los niveles séricos de MECP2. Antes del estudio, los pacientes con niveles más bajos de MECP2 tenían puntuaciones significativamente más altas de SF - 36, y puntuaciones más bajas de Pittsburgh y EVA que los pacientes con niveles más altos de MECP2. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los pacientes un mes después. Las curvas ROC mostraron que la MECP2 podría ser un biomarcador de diagnóstico para la NPH. En general, los niveles séricos más altos de la MECP2 se asociaron con condiciones de dolor más graves y un aumento de la liberación de factores inflamatorios.

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INTRODUCTION: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a complex neuropathic painful condition in which pain is a direct consequence of the response to peripheral nerve damage experienced during herpes zoster attack. PHN is the most common chronic complication of herpes zoster and it causes considerable suffering, affecting the physical functioning and psychological well-being of patients. OBJECTIVE: To describe the effect of a conservative treatment using pain neuroscience education (PNE) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in a patient with trigeminal PHN. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 67-year-old woman sought care for pain, dysfunction, and sensory loss in the left jaw. The assessment included: 1) pain, using the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), and classic body charts of the cranial region; 2) somatosensory function, by means of mechanical detection threshold (MDT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT); 3) jaw function, using the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-20 (JFLS-20); and 4) psychosocial features, by means of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorders Questionnaire-7 (GAD-7). Treatment consisted of 12 sessions of PNE and TENS. OUTCOMES: After treatment, a clinically significant improvement in NPRS, DN4, MDT, GCPS, and PHQ-9 was observed. CONCLUSION: In this case report, a treatment based on the combination of PNE and TENS seemed to have contributed to improving pain, sensory abnormalities, and jaw function. Psychosocial factors also showed a trend to improve after the treatment.

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Resumen Introducción: el herpes zóster (HZ) es una enfermedad debilitante que afecta negativamente la calidad de vida (CV). Este estudio buscó describir la carga de la enfermedad por el HZ en Colombia. Métodos: estudio prospectivo, observacional, de cohorte única realizado en 10 centros clínicos colombianos. Para ser elegibles, los pacientes tenían que ser inmunocompetentes, ≥50 años de edad, y tener un diagnóstico confirmado de HZ en fase aguda o dolor posherpético. Los resultados del estudio incluyeron el inventario breve del dolor por zóster (ZBPI), la CV evaluada con el cuestionario EQ-5D y la utilización de recursos de atención médica (URAM) debido a HZ. El seguimiento fue de 180 días. Resultados: se incluyeron 154 pacientes con una media (DE) de la edad de 64.6 (9.6) años. La media (DE) del peor dolor agudo fue 8.2 (2.1), mientras la neuralgia posherpética (dolor por HZ ≥3 que persistió ≥90 días) fue reportado por 36.5% de los pacientes. Los predictores significativos del aumento de la carga de dolor fueron la edad avanzada y puntuaciones de peor dolor más altas desde el inicio de la erupción. El aumento en el dolor asociado a HZ estuvo acompañado con reducción significativa en CV, la cual duró aproximadamente 60 días. En términos de la URAM, medicamentos para el HZ y que fueron recetados a 98.7% de los pacientes, incluyendo aciclovir en 85.1% de los pacientes, 79.2% tuvieron un seguimiento por un médico general, 38.2% visitó una sala de emergencia y 29.2% visitó un especialista Conclusión: HZ está asociado a carga de enfermedad significativa en Colombia, incluyendo dolor, impacto en la CV y URAM. A medida que la población colombiana envejece, se deben implementar estrategias para manejar y/o prevenir de manera más efectiva la carga asociada al HZ. (Acta Med Colomb 2021; 46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2021.1636).

Abstract Introduction: herpes zoster (HZ) is a debilitating disease with a negative effect on quality of life (QL). This study sought to describe the burden of disease of HZ in Colombia. Methods: this was a prospective, observational single-cohort study in 10 Colombian clinical centers. To be eligible, patients had to be immunocompetent, ≥50 years old, and have a confirmed diagnosis of acute phase HZ or postherpetic pain. The study outcomes included the Zoster Brief Pain Inventory (ZBPI), QL assessed through the EQ-5D questionnaire, and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) due to HZ. Patients were followed for 180 days. Results: 154 patients were included with a mean (SD) age of 64.6 (9.6) years. The mean (SD) worst acute pain was 8.2 (2.1), while postherpetic neuralgia (HZ pain ≥3 which lasted for ≥90 days) was reported by 36.5% of the patients. The significant predictors of increased pain burden were advanced age and higher worst pain score from the onset of the rash. Increased HZ-related pain was associated with a significant reduction in QL, which lasted approximately 60 days. In terms of HCRU, HZ medications were prescribed for 98.7% of the patients, including acyclovir in 85.1%; 79.2% were followed by a general practitioner; 38.2% were seen in the emergency room and 29.2% consulted a specialist. Conclusion: HZ is associated with a significant burden of disease in Colombia, including pain and an impact on QL and HCRU. As the Colombian population ages, strategies should be implemented to more effectively manage and/or prevent the HZ-related burden. (Acta Med Colomb 2021; 46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2021.1636).

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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential public health impact of adult herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination with the adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in the United States in the first 15 years after launch. METHODS: We used a publicly available model accounting for national population characteristics and HZ epidemiological data, vaccine characteristics from clinical studies, and anticipated vaccine coverage with RZV after launch in 2018. Two scenarios were modeled: a scenario with RZV implemented with 65% coverage after 15 years and a scenario continuing with zoster vaccine live (ZVL) with coverage increasing 10% over the same period. We estimated the numbers vaccinated, and the clinical outcomes and health care use avoided yearly, from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2032. We varied RZV coverage and investigated the associated impact on HZ cases, complications, and health care resource use. RESULTS: With RZV adoption, the numbers of individuals affected by HZ was predicted to progressively decline with an additional 4.6 million cumulative cases avoided if 65% vaccination with RZV was reached within 15 years. In the year 2032, it was predicted that an additional 1.3 million physicians' visits and 14.4 thousand hospitalizations could be avoided, compared with continuing with ZVL alone. These numbers could be reached 2 to 5 years earlier with 15% higher RZV vaccination rates. CONCLUSION: Substantial personal and health care burden can be alleviated when vaccination with RZV is adopted. The predicted numbers of HZ cases, complications, physicians' visits, and hospitalizations avoided, compared with continued ZVL vaccination, depends upon the RZV vaccination coverage achieved.

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ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Post-herpetic neuralgia is defined as pain persisting for more than three months after the resolution of skin eruptions observed in herpes-zoster. Post-herpetic neuralgia incidence is quite variable, increases with age, being more frequent among patients aged over 60, and is associated to reduced quality of life of affected individuals. The objective of this review is to discuss key aspects of post-herpetic neuralgia, particularly its pathophysiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, prevention and treatment. CONTENTS: Post-herpetic neuralgia pathophysiology is poorly understood and involves peripheral and central nervous system mechanisms. Associated clinical signs are variable and represented mainly by pain with neuropathic features and skin changes in dermatomes previously affected by herpes-zoster. Post-herpetic neuralgia prophylactic vaccination seems to be the best preventive option. Diagnosis of post-herpetic neuralgia is largely clinical and treatment involves an early-stage, multimodal approach. Among techniques described in the literature, there is pharmacological treatment which, when not effective, requires the implementation of interventional techniques. CONCLUSION: Post-herpetic neuralgia is a complex entity and should be treated in a multidisciplinary way aiming at improving patients' quality of life.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A neuralgia pós-herpética é conceituada como dor persistente por mais de três meses após a resolução das lesões de pele observadas no herpes-zoster. A incidência de neuralgia pós-herpética é bastante variável e dependente da idade, sendo mais frequente em pacientes acima de 60 anos e associada a redução da qualidade de vida do indivíduo. O objetivo deste estudo foi discutir os principais aspectos da neuralgia pós-herpética, atentando para a sua fisiopatologia, manifestações clínicas, diagnóstico, prevenção e tratamento. CONTEÚDO: A fisiopatologia da neuralgia pós-herpética é pobremente compreendida e envolve mecanismos periféricos e centrais. As manifestações clínicas a ela associadas são variáveis e representadas principalmente por dor com característica neuropática e alterações de pele no dermátomo acometido anteriormente pelo herpes-zoster. A vacinação profilática para a neuralgia pós-herpética parece ser a melhor opção para preveni-la. O seu diagnóstico é eminentemente clinico e o seu tratamento envolve a necessidade de uma abordagem precoce e multi-modal. Dentre as técnicas descritas encontram-se o tratamento farmacológico e, quando este não é efetivo, a implementação de técnicas intervencionistas. CONCLUSÃO: A neuralgia pós-herpética é uma entidade complexa que deve ser tratada de forma multidisciplinar com o intuito de aumentar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes.

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ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO La neuralgia post-herpética es un dolor neuropático generado por el cuadro de Herpes Zóster, producido por el virus de la Varicella. En este contexto, el Departamento de Políticas Farmacéutica y Profesiones Medícas solicita esta síntesis de evidencia con el objetivo de conocer el efecto de extracto y spray oro-mucoso de cannabis para aliviar este dolor. METODOLOGÍA Se formuló una estrategia de búsqueda para ser utilizada en las bases de datos Epistemonikos, Health Systems Evidence, Health Evidence, Cochrane, PubMed, EVIPNet Global, LILACS, Google Scholar, PsycInfo y CINAHL, con el objetivo de identificar revisiones sistemáticas del tema. Se excluyeron estudios realizados en animales, que solo contenían THC (y no CBD), otros canabinoides diferentes a Nabiximols y extracto oral, además, no se consideraron análisis de dependencia de cannabis. RESULTADOS Se utilizan 6 revisiones sistemáticas, de las cuales se obtuvieron los siguientes resultados: -No fue posible calcular significancia estadística, la evidencia encontrada muestra que el aceite de cannabis oral reduciría el dolor percibido (en Escala Numérica del Dolor), en comparación a placebo. -No fue posible agrupar resultados, la evidencia encontrada muestra que Nabiximols (Sativex®) reduciría el dolor en pacientes con dolor neuropático no específico y debido a artritis reumatoide, mientras que no tendría diferencia en pacientes con diabetes. -La evidencia encontrada muestra que el número de personas que reportan una reducción del dolor de al menos un 30%, en pacientes con dolor neuropático no específico y en diabetes, no sería significativamente distinto al comparar Sativex® con Placebo. -La evidencia encontrada muestra que existiría un mayor abandono de los estudios clínicos debido a algún efecto adverso, en pacientes tratados con Sativex® que en pacientes del grupo placebo tratados por dolor neuropático sin especificar. No habría diferencias en pacientes con artritis reumatoide. -La certeza de la evidencia presentada es incierta, puesto que ésta no se ha evaluado en esta síntesis.

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El Herpes Zóster es un rash vesiculoso producido por la reactivación del virus Varicela-Zóster. Es más frecuente en adultosmayores y se manifiesta con dolor intenso. El diagnóstico clínicogeneralmente es sencillo, y el tratamiento se orienta hacia elmanejo del dolor y la prevención de la Neuralgia Posherpética. Encasos graves, dentro de las 72 horas de producido el rash, sepueden indicar antivirales por vía oral o endovenosa, según losrequerimientos del paciente.

Shingles is a vesicular rash caused by reactivation of theVaricella-Zoster virus. It is more common in older adults andpresents with severe pain. The clinical diagnosis is usually simple,and treatment is aimed at pain management and prevention ofPostherpetic Neuralgia. In severe cases, within 72 hours of therash, oral or intravenous antivirals may be prescribed,depending on the patients' requirements.

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OBJECTIVES: The most common complication of herpes zoster (HZ) is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a persistent pain that can substantially affect quality of life (QoL). This analysis aimed to evaluate predictors of PHN in HZ patients. METHODS: A pooled analysis of prospective cohort studies of HZ patients aged ≥ 50 years from North America (Canada), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina), and Asia (Taiwan, South Korea, and Thailand) was performed. Patients within 14 days of rash onset were included. The incidence of PHN was defined as a worst pain score of ≥ 3, persisting/appearing at >90 days after rash onset. Socio-demographics, HZ disease characteristics, treatment, pain-related interference with activities of daily living, and health-related QoL were assessed. RESULTS: Of 702 patients with HZ, 148 (21.1%) developed PHN. Similar risks of PHN were observed across geographic regions. On multivariate analysis, older age, greater severity of pain at rash onset, employment status, walking problems at enrollment, and pain interference affecting social relationships were significantly associated with the development of PHN. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to older age and severe acute pain, this study suggests that impaired physical and social functioning from acute zoster pain may play a role in the development of PHN in this prospective cohort study of HZ patients from North and Latin America and Asia.

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Con la introducción y el desarrollo de nuevos productos que han demostrado ser eficaces en el dolor neuropático (DN), se ha generado una clara necesidad de tener un algoritmo basado en la evidencia para tratar las diferentes condiciones del DN. El objetivo de este artículo es elaborar unas recomendaciones para el tratamiento del DN que estén avaladas por la evidencia científica y que estén consensuadas por un grupo multidisciplinario de expertos en metodología y en tratamiento del dolor. La evidencia se ha obtenido de estudios de metanálisis que recogen la mayor información disponible para cada tipo de DN. La búsqueda bibliográfica se llevó a cabo por 5 revisores, que se centraron individualmente en las diferentes formas de presentación del DN. Las bases de datos consultadas fueron la Cochrane Library, EMBASE (año 2000 en adelante) y PUBMED(año 2000 en adelante), y se seleccionaron metaanálisis y ensayos clínicos aleatorizados y controlados. Finalmente, los autores, especialistas en dolor, evaluaron e hicieron las recomendaciones clínicas para el tratamiento del DN. En algunos tipos de DN, de los cuales no hay suficiente información, se han incluido recomendaciones basadas en publicaciones científicas sin evidencia, con el objetivo de que estas recomendaciones proporcionen la mayor información posible acerca de su tratamiento. Se han revisado estudios de eficacia y seguridad de neuralgia postherpética (NPH), neuropatía diabética dolorosa (NDD) y neuralgia del trigémino(NT) como paradigmas de DN periférico, y también se ha recogido la escasa información existente acerca del DN central(DNC) y el dolor simpático (DS). Con los resultados obtenidos con este estudio bibliográfico y las evidencias extraídas, se ha elaborado un algoritmo de decisión con los fármacos disponibles actualmente en la farmacopea española para la NPH y la NDD; por otro lado, y de forma independiente, para la NT y, finalmente, para el DNC y el DS.

The introduction and development of new products with demonstrated efficacy in neuropathic pain has generated a clear need for an evidence-based algorithm to treat the different types of neuropathic pain. The present article aims to provide recommendations on the treatment of neuropathic pain supported by the scientific evidence and agreed on by consensus by a multidisciplinary group of experts in methodology and pain management. The evidence was obtained from meta-analyses including the greatest amount of information available for each type of neuropathic pain. The literature search was performed by 5 reviewers, who focussed individually on the distinct forms of presentation of neuropathic pain. The databases consulted were the Cochrane Library, EMBASE (from 2000 onwards), and PUBMED (from 2000 onwards). Meta-analyses and randomized, controlled clinical trials were selected. Finally, retrieved articles were evaluated and clinical recommendations for the treatment of neuropathic pain were designed by the pain specialists. For some types of neuropathic pain, there is insufficient information. In these types of pain, recommendations based on scientific publications without evidence were included to provide the reatest possible amount of information on their treatment. Studies of safety and efficacy in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN), and trigeminal neuralgia (TN) were reviewed as paradigms of peripheral neuropathic pain. The scarce available information on central neuropathic pain (CNP) and sympathetic pain (SP) was also gathered. Based on the results obtained with this literature review and the evidence extracted, a decision algorithm was designed with the drugs currently available in the Spanish pharmacopeia for PHN and PDN, and separate decision algorithms were designed for TN and finally for CNP and S P.

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El herpes zoster (HZ) constituye una enfermedad de distribución mundial; sin embargo, existen es casos datos comunicados sobre la misma en países de Latinoamérica. Con el objetivo de evaluar aspectos clínicos y epidemiológicos de esta enfermedad en nuestra población, realizamos un análisis retrospectivo de historias clínicas de un centro privado de referencia en enfermedades infecciosas en Buenos Aires, Argentina (período: 2000-2005). Se realizó un análisis estadístico univariado para evaluar los factores asociados a neuralgia posherpética en este grupo de pacientes. Sobre un total de 302 casos evaluables, el 62% correspondieron a mujeres. La mediana de edad fue de 57 años. El 16.1% de los pacientes presentó condiciones predisponentes al desarrollo de zoster. Las localizaciones más frecuentes fueron la torácica, oftálmica y lumbosacra. El 7.75% presentó compromiso de más de dos metámeras. El 94% de los pacientes recibió medicación antiviral, siendo el aciclovir la droga más utilizada. El 94% recibió alguna medicación coadyuvante (antiinflamatorios no esteroideos, antineuríticos, corticoides). La complicación más frecuente fue la neuralgia posherpética (12%) y se encontró estadísticamente asociada a edad mayor de 50 años.

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a public health problem worldwide. Although, there is paucity of data of this disease from South American countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical and epidemiological aspects of HZ in a population of patients from South America. We underwent a retrospective analysis of clinical charts of an infectious diseases reference center (period: 2000-2005). Univariate analysis was performed to assess variables related to post herpetic neuralgia (PHN). From a total of 302 cases, 62% were in women. The median age was 57 years; 16.1% of the patients had a predisposing condition for the development of HZ. Most frequent dermatomes involved were: thoracic, ophthalmic and lumbar; 93.5% of the patients received antiviral drugs and 94% complementary medications. The most frequent complication was PHN and was related with age over 50 years. Clinical and epidemiological aspects of HZ and the frequency of complications in our population were similar to data from developed countries.

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RESUMO

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a heterogeneous entity with wide diversity of symptoms. Despite the controversies regarding its definition and classification, which difficult its epidemiology, it has been estimated that 4 million people, in USA develop NP. Objective. A task force was created to generate a series of recommendations which facilitate the decision making and therapeutic approach of this kind of pain. Method. A search of medical literature was made in different electronic data bases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE); after this search we conducted three work-sessions and evaluated the evidence regarding the diagnosis and treatment of pain in painful diabetic polineuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and trigeminal neuralgia were evaluated. Results. We found 329 documents for further analysis, and with the aid of the literature results we generate this practice guidelines.

El dolor neuropático (DN) es una entidad heterogénea con una sintomatología diversa. Las controversias existentes respecto a su definición y clasificación dificultan conocer su epidemiología, a pesar de esto se ha estimado que cerca de cuatro millones de personas en Estados Unidos son portadoras de este problema médico. Objetivo. Se conformó un grupo de consenso con la finalidad de crear recomendaciones médicas que faciliten la toma de decisiones y el abordaje terapéutico del mismo. Método. Se realizó una búsqueda en la literatura en diferentes bases de datos electrónicas (MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE). Se efectuaron tres sesiones de trabajo en las cuales se evaluaron las evidencias médicas científicas sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la polineuropatía diabética dolorosa, la neuralgia postherpética y neuralgia trigeminal. Resultados. Se encontraron 329 documentos para su análisis, con base en este sustento bibliográfico se delinearon estos parámetros de práctica.

Assuntos