Aging Clinical and Experimental Research

, Volume 29, Issue 4, pp 771–779 | Cite as

Temporal trends in herpes zoster-related hospitalizations in Italy, 2001–2013: differences between regions that have or have not implemented varicella vaccination

  • Nicoletta Valente
  • Silvia Cocchio
  • Armando Stefanati
  • Tatjana Baldovin
  • Domenico Martinelli
  • Rosa Prato
  • Vincenzo Baldo
  • Giovanni Gabutti
Original Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Background

Herpes zoster (HZ) has a relevant impact on the population in terms of incidence and complications.

Aims

The aim of this study was to estimate the HZ-related hospitalization rates in Italy in the period 2001–2013, and to evaluate the trend of hospitalizations in the course of time pointing out any differences between regions that have or have not introduced universal childhood varicella immunization (UVI).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on hospital discharge records contained in the national database of the Ministry of Health for the period January 2001–December 2013. The comparison of hospitalization rates of "pilot" versus "not pilot" regions was performed taking into account as "pilot" regions the three that first introduced UVI (Sicily, Veneto, and Apulia). The average annual percentage change in hospitalization rates was used to highlight any significant change in time trends.

Results

In the period 2001–2013, 93,808 HZ-related hospitalizations were registered altogether. Complicated HZ was diagnosed in 53.2% of cases; a relevant part (32.5%) of hospitalizations involved subjects with at least one co-morbidity. In the three Italian "pilot" regions, a greater decrease of HZ-related hospitalization rates occurred in comparison to other regions.

Discussion

A good understanding of the epidemiology of HZ disease is required to assess the overall impact of the varicella immunization programs and to establish the most appropriate health strategies against HZ.

Conclusions

The data obtained confirm the epidemiological impact of HZ and its complications and the need of a preventive approach.

Keywords

Herpes zoster Hospitalizations Temporal trends Varicella vaccination 
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Notes

Compliance with ethical standards

Funding

This reaserch did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical approval

HDRs were provided by the National Archive of SDO data, Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Healthcare Planning, VI Office. For this type of retrospective study, formal consent is not required.

Conflict of interest

Giovanni Gabutti and Vincenzo Baldo received grants from Sanofi Pasteur MSD, GSK Biologicals SA, Novartis, Crucell/Janssen, Pfizer, Sequirus, Merck Italy, and Sanofi Pasteur for taking part to advisory boards, expert meetings, for acting as speaker and/or organizer of meetings/congresses and as principal investigator and chief of O.U. in RCTs. Rosa Prato has served in advisory committees related to herpes zoster vaccine for Sanofi Pasteur MSD; she also reports grants and nonfinancial support from Sanofi Pasteur MSD, Pfizer, GSK, and Novartis, outside this work. Domenico Martinelli reports grants and nonfinancial support from GSK, Pfizer, and Sanofi Pasteur MSD, outside this work. Nicoletta Valente, Silvia Cocchio, Armando Stefanati, and Tatjana Baldovin do not have any conflict of interest.

Statement of human and animal rights

HDRs were provided by the National Archive of SDO data, Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Healthcare Planning, VI Office. Accordingly to the current regulations, a specific permit by an Ethical Committee was not necessary, as no personal data were available and only anonymous unlinked aggregated data were analyzed. This study was performed in compliance to the Helsinki Declaration as well as to the Italian law (Decree n. 196/2003 for the protection of personal data).

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Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing AG 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  • Nicoletta Valente
    • 1
  • Silvia Cocchio
    • 2
  • Armando Stefanati
    • 1
  • Tatjana Baldovin
    • 2
  • Domenico Martinelli
    • 3
  • Rosa Prato
    • 3
  • Vincenzo Baldo
    • 2
  • Giovanni Gabutti
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Medical SciencesUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
  2. 2.Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of PaduaPaduaItaly
  3. 3.Department of Medical and Surgical SciencesUniversity of FoggiaFoggiaItaly

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