Patients with AD at elevated risk of herpes zoster infection

In the wake of the emerging development of biologics in atopic dermatitis (AD), herpes zoster (HZ) infection has been reported as a treatment-related adverse event.

This study aims at investigating the association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and herpes zoster (HZ), and the risk factors within.

28,677 participants with AD from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database 2000–2015 were enrolled. Risk of HZ infection was compared in the study cohort (with AD) and the control cohort (without AD). Further analyses were conducted in gender-, age-, and treatment strategy-stratified subgroups.

Results:

Significantly higher adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of herpes zoster (HZ) infection were revealed in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients (aHR = 2.303, P < 0.001), and remained this trend in gender- and age-stratified models. All AD groups, irrespective of the treatment type, had higher aHRs (AD without systemic treatment: aHR = 2.356, P < 0.001; AD with systemic treatment: aHR = 2.182, P < 0.001) compared with those without AD. However, no differences in HZ risk were shown between each treatment type.

Risk of herpes zoster (HZ) infection in AD is higher irrespective of treatment type. Considering that AD per se increases susceptibility to HZ infection, the administration of biologics requires careful considerations.

Reference:

Shou-En Wu, Yi-Hsien Chen, Chi-Hsiang Chung, Gwo-Jang Wu, Chang-Huei Tsao, Chien-An Sun, Wu-Chien Chien, and Chih-Tsung Hung. Atopic Dermatitis as a Risk Factor for Herpes Zoster Infection Independent of Treatment: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study. Dermatitis® 2023 34:3, 241-249

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/derm.2022.0094