Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40226877›Full record

ArticleJournal of cosmetic dermatology2025

Predictors of Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Prospective Study From Eastern Nepal.

Suchana Marahatta, Shivendra Kumar Jha, Ashish Ghimire

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Suchana MarahattaDepartment of Dermatology & Venereology, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Sunsari, Nepal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3542-0350
Shivendra Kumar JhaDepartment of Dermatology and Venerology, Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital (STIDH), Teku, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Ashish GhimireDepartment of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Sunsari, Nepal.

Funding

University Grants Commission- Nepal FRG-73/74-HS-13
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHerpes zoster (HZ) is a viral infection with severe acute and chronic pain. This study was aimed at determining the incidence rate of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The objectives of the study were to understand the epidemiology of HZ and to identify the risk factors for PHN at a referral hospital in eastern Nepal. MATERIALS AND

methodsA total of 82 patients with HZ presenting within 72 h of skin eruption with a pain rating of 40 or above on a visual analog scale, with an age ≤ 75 years and those willing to participate were included in the study. However, those who had already started antiviral medicine or analgesics were excluded. All baseline details were noted and the participants were followed for 16 weeks at monthly intervals to assess the pain status and development of PHN. The epidemiological parameters and the predictors of PHN were predicted using the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis.

resultsThe mean age of the participants was 47 ± 18.77 years. The majority (32.9%) of the participants belonged to 61-70 years. Thoracic dermatome was most frequently (56.1%) involved. At the 16-week follow-up, of the 77 patients who completed the study, 14 had persistent pain; hence, the incidence of PHN was 18.2%. Advancing age (> 50 years) (adjusted odds ratio 2.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33-6.53); diabetes (OR 13.09, 95% CI 1.40-122.24); and prolonged prodromal pain (OR 12.01, 95% CI 1.40-102.77) were the most important risk factors for PHN.

conclusionIn our study, the prevalence of PHN was quite high (18.2%) despite timely antiviral treatment and regular follow-up. An age of more than 50 years, prolonged prodromal pain, and diabetes were the most significant predictors of PHN. Hence, early intervention and frequent follow-up of those individuals are recommended.

Indexed as

Herpes ZosterNeuralgia, PostherpeticAdultAgedAge FactorsFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansIncidenceMaleMiddle AgedNepalPain MeasurementProspective StudiesRisk Factorsdermatomeherpes zosterpostherpetic neuralgiatrigeminal neuralgiavaricella‐zoster virus

Identifiers

PMID40226877
PMCPMC11995674

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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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 OpenQuestion graph.