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Beijing University

Herpes Zoster Virus Impacts 14.9 Million People Globally, with Significant Disparities in Quality of Life

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

According to a recent study published in the Health and Quality of Life Outcomes journal, researchers at Peking University have investigated the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people with herpes zoster (HZ) in China. The study aimed to evaluate the HRQoL among 2,566 HZ patients across seven Chinese cities using the EQ-5D-5 L and VAS-100 instruments. The research found that the average EQ-5D score was 0.83, and the average VAS score was 71.49 among HZ patients in China. The study also highlighted the need to address health equity through curative interventions and preventive strategies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 14.9 million people aged 50 globally were affected by herpes zoster in 2020, imposing a growing burden in aging populations.
  • The research aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people with HZ and explore its socioeconomic and clinical determinants in China.
  • A cross-sectional survey of 2,566 herpes zoster patients across seven Chinese cities was used to investigate the HRQoL using the EQ-5D-5 L and VAS-100 instruments.
  • The average EQ-5D score was 0.83, and the average VAS score was 71.49 among herpes zoster patients in China.
  • Patients aged 70 years exhibited the most severe decline in both EQ-5D and VAS scores.
  • The study highlighted the need to address health equity through curative interventions and preventive strategies to reduce disparities in HRQoL reductions among patient subgroups.
  • The research was conducted by Yiqi Xia, Yang Shen, Wenhui Zhu, Jinxu Ai, Chengsen Cui, Yemin Yuan, Lidan Wang, Wenqiang Yin, Zhenyu Shi, and Ping He from Peking University.

Statistics:

  • 14.9 million people aged 50 globally were affected by herpes zoster in 2020.
  • The average EQ-5D score was 0.83 among herpes zoster patients in China.
  • The average VAS score was 71.49 among herpes zoster patients in China.
  • Patients aged 70 years exhibited a decline in EQ-5D scores of -0.110.
  • The study highlighted the need to address health equity through curative interventions and preventive strategies.

Sources:

  • Xia, Y., et al. (2025). Quality of life in people with herpes zoster: a cross-sectional study in China. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 23(1), 99.
  • Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. (2025). Bmc, Campus, 4 Crinan St, London N1 9XW, England. (www.biomedcentral.com/; www.hqlo.com)

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