The Short- and Long-Term Risk of Stroke after Herpes Zoster - A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study. e69156

• Published in: PloS one 2013-07, Vol.8 (7)
• Main Authors: Sreenivasan, Nandini, Basit, Saima, Wohlfahrt, Jan, Pasternak, Bjorn, Munch, Tina N, Nielsen, Lars P, Melbye, Mads
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Varicella-zoster virus
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069156

Background and Objective Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is known to cause VZV vasculopathy, which may be associated with stroke. A recent study found an increased risk of stroke within one year of herpes zoster. We aimed to investigate the short and long-term effects of herpes zoster on the risk of stroke. Methods Using Danish national registers, we constructed a cohort consisting of all Danish adults greater than or equal to 18 years old between 1995 and 2008 (n = 4.6 million; person-years of follow-up = 52.9 million). Individual-level information on prescriptions for herpes zoster antiviral treatment and diagnoses of stroke was obtained from national registers. We compared the risk of stroke in persons who had received the specific dosage of acyclovir for herpes zoster with persons who had never received antiviral treatment by Poisson regression. Results During follow-up, 2.5% received treatment for herpes zoster and 5.0% were diagnosed with stroke. Individuals who had received medication had a 127% (95% CI 83-182%) increased risk the first two weeks, 17% (CI 9-24%) between two weeks and one year, and 5% (2-9%) after the first year. The increased risk was greatest in the youngest age group (