Varicella and Herpes Zoster in Madrid, based on the Sentinel General Practitioner Network: 1997–2004

2007

Varicella and Herpes Zoster in Madrid: 1997–2004

Sample size: 11654 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Pérez-Farinós Napoleón, Ordobás María, García-Fernández Cristina, García-Comas Luis, Cañellas Soledad, Rodero Inmaculada, Gutiérrez-Rodríguez Ángeles, García-Gutiérrez Juan, Ramírez Rosa

Primary Institution: Department of Epidemiology, Madrid Public Health Institute

Hypothesis

What is the status and time trend for varicella and herpes zoster in the Madrid Autonomous Region prior to the introduction of the vaccine?

Conclusion

In the absence of vaccination, varicella incidence remained stable, while herpes zoster incidence showed a rising trend.

Supporting Evidence

A total of 9856 cases of varicella and 1798 cases of herpes zoster were reported.
Standardised annual varicella incidence rates ranged from 742.5 to 1239.6 cases per 100,000 person-years.
Most varicella cases affected children, while herpes zoster cases were more frequent among older adults.
The study found no significant trend in varicella incidence over the years.
Herpes zoster incidence showed a rising trend, particularly among older age groups.

Takeaway

This study looked at chickenpox and shingles cases in Madrid over several years, finding that chickenpox rates didn't change much, but shingles cases increased.

Methodology

Data was collected from individual varicella and herpes zoster case records by the Madrid Autonomous Region Sentinel General Practitioner Network from 1997 to 2004.