Demographic study of Herpes Zoster in Semnan

Herpes zoster (Zona) is due to the reactivation of VZV in one dermatome. The disease begins
with pain and burning in dermatome. After 48-72 hours maculopapular rashes appear that rapidly
change to vesicular form.
Incidence increases with aging. Some risk factors especially immunosuppression increase
disease the aim of this study is evaluation of epidemiology and risk factors of Zona in Semnan.
In this study 104 Herpes zoster patient evaluated based on clinical diagnosis. Information about
age, sex, season, dermatome and risk factors registered.51.9% patients were male and 48.1% were
female. Mean age of patients was 53 year and 65.4% were above 50 years old. The more common
dermatomes in order of frequency were thoracic, trigeminal, cervical and lumbar. 74.1% of
patients have no underlying problems, 11.5% have Diabetes mellitus, 7.7% Steroid consumption
and 2.9% malignancy.Distributions of Zona based on sex, gender and dermatome was, like others
studies.Season maybe have role in Zona distribution. Because a proportion of patients had Diabetes
mellitus, suggest patients with zona evaluated for probability of diabetes mellitus