Statistics of Herpes Zoter in a City with a Population of 200,000

Abstract

A statistical survey of 1,002 patients with herpes zoster was carried out at the clinics of dermatology and anesthesiology in Ube city and Onoda city from January, 1988 to December, 1988, with the following results:
1) A larger number of patients were seen in the summer and spring as compared to other seasons.
2) The sex ratio was 1.0 (male):1.4 (female). The incidences showed two peaks at the age from 50 years to 79 years and from 10 years to 19 years.
3) The dermatomes of the thorax and the upper extremities were the most frequently involved areas of the body.
4) 7.9% of the patients (0∼9 years), 5.6% (10∼19 years), 35.4% (50∼59 years) and 53.3% (70∼79 years) had underlying disorders.
5) Recurrent attacks occured in 7 cases.
6) Neuralgia persisted over 1 month in 5.2% of patients (52 cases). The highest peak was noted in the seventies age group (20 cases).
7) In 30 cases, a generalized herpes zoster developed and the age groups of sixties and seventies were most frequently affected.
8) Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome occured in 7 cases.
9) Herpes zoster ophthamicus occured in 5 cases.
10) Herpes zoster duplex occured in 3 cases.
11) Malignant tumors were found in 16 cases (1.6%).