Diabetes patients have high risk of developing Herpes Zoster, finds Study

Individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) are susceptible to various infections.

A group of researchers from Taiwan estimated the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) among individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) compared to individuals in the general population.

The researchers searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and PerioPath databases from their inception to January 30, 2021 for studies on the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Two authors independently extracted the data. Four case-control studies and 12 cohort studies were included.

The results of the study are as follows:

· Meta-analyses were performed using fixed and mixed-effects models. In the pooled analysis, individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) had a higher risk of developing herpes zoster (HZ) than individuals in the general population.

· The results were consistent in subgroup analyses stratified by type of diabetes, age, and study design.

· In individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular disease had an additive effect on increasing the risk of herpes zoster (HZ).

· There was a linear dose-response association between age and the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Thus, the researchers concluded that individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) have an increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ) compared to the general population. Varicella vaccination should be provided to individuals with DM regardless of their age, prioritizing older adults and those with cardiovascular disease. Varicella vaccination policies for individuals with DM should be updated based on the evidence.

Reference:

Association between Diabetes Mellitus and the Risk of Herpes Zoster: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis by Huang C et. al published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgab675