ArticleOpen forum infectious diseases2026
Age-specific Risk of Herpes Zoster in Immunocompetent Adults ≥18 Years-of-age-A Retrospective Cohort Study in the United States.
Article in Open forum infectious diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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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.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Observational
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Approximately one-third of United States (US) individuals develop herpes zoster (HZ). Recent HZ incidence data are lacking, especially in immunocompetent adults 18-49 years-of-age (YoA). Recombinant HZ vaccine is recommended for US adults ≥50 YoA and immunocompromised/immunosuppressed adults ≥19 YoA. Methods: This retrospective cohort study (2015-2022, Merative MarketScan Commercial/Medicare) estimated age-specific HZ burden and incidence rates (IRs) per 1000 person-years in immunocompetent adults (≥18 YoA), and calculated HZ adjusted IR ratios (aIRRs) versus 50-59 YoA. Using the predetermined noninferiority margin of 0.62, HZ aIRRs versus 50-59 YoA were significantly higher (95% confidence interval lower limit [95% CI LL] > 1.0), comparable (95% CI LL >0.62 and ≤1.0), or inconclusive (other result). HZ definition: International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) code B02.2x plus antiviral within 7 days (only ICD-10 in sensitivity analysis). Immunocompetent definition: no comorbidities (ie, asthma, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression, stress, and trauma) or immunocompromising/autoimmune disease or medication. Results: In this immunocompetent population without comorbid conditions (57% of adults overall), HZ IR increased with age, from 0.77 (18-29 YoA) to 4.67 (≥80 YoA). HZ risk was comparable in 30-39 YoA (aIRR 0.66 [95% CI 0.64-0.68]) and 40-49 YoA (0.75 [0.73-0.77]) versus 50-59 YoA. Proportions with postherpetic neuralgia (from 40 to 49 YoA) and HZ hospitalization (from 60 to 69 YoA) tended to increase with age. In sensitivity analyses using a broader HZ definition, HZ burden was ∼30% higher. Conclusions: The study identified a substantial HZ burden in younger immunocompetent adults (30-49 YoA) without comorbid conditions, with statistically comparable IRs versus 50-59 YoA.
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