ArticleBMC infectious diseases2026
Epidemiology of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in Japan: analysis of a large-scale claims database.
Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Current advances in the epidemiology, risk factors, prevention, management, and long-term outcomes of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia.Frontiers in microbiology · 2026Pooled it
- Varicella-zoster virus meningitis during amenamevir therapy with measured cerebrospinal fluid drug concentration: A case report.Journal of family medicine and primary care · 2026Article
- Herpes zoster burden in a private healthcare setting of Argentina.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundHerpes zoster (HZ) is a global public health concern. Although HZ vaccination is expected to reduce both HZ and its complications, comprehensive epidemiological data to guide vaccination strategies are scarce.
methodsWe conducted a large-scale analysis of a claims database in Japan to examine standardized incidence rates of HZ and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) from April 2014 to March 2023. We also evaluated the risks of hospitalization and PHN after HZ, and analyzed varicella incidence using national surveillance data.
resultsThe overall standardized incidence rates were 9.58 and 1.00 per 1,000 person-years for HZ and PHN, respectively. From 2014 to 2023, these rates increased, with estimated annual percent changes of 1.16% (95% confidence interval, 0.52–2.00) for HZ and 0.99% (0.09–3.04) for PHN. The incidence of HZ increased steadily with age: 7.17 in the 40–49 age group, 9.73 in the 50–59 age group, 13.96 in the 60–69 age group, 17.99 in the 70–79 age group, and 18.81 in those aged ≥ 80 years. The effect of aging was more pronounced for PHN, with corresponding rates of 0.37, 0.78, 1.78, 2.97, and 2.98, respectively. The overall risks of hospitalization and PHN following HZ were 4.8% and 10.4%, respectively, with risk ratios approximately 2–3 times higher in those aged ≥ 70 years than in those aged 50–59. HZ incidence was higher in summer and showed little association with varicella incidence.
conclusionsOur findings provide evidence to inform individuals and policymakers in developing strategies to prevent HZ and its complications.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.