Patients' perspectives on the burden of recurrent genital herpes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of recurrent genital herpes (RGH) on health-related quality of life, healthcare resource and workplace productivity. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 5 countries (Australia, Denmark, Italy, The Netherlands and UK). Patients with a confirmed history of RGH completed the MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Recurrent Genital Herpes Quality of Life questionnaire (RGHQoL). Questionnaires addressing frequency of access to healthcare services and workplace productivity were also completed and patients' medical history was obtained. Scores for 6 of the 8 domains of the SF-36 were significantly lower (P<0.001) i.e. worse, compared with scores for the normal population. The RGHQoL score was significantly lower in patients experiencing more frequent or more severe recurrences. Forty-five per cent of patients estimated that their work effectiveness was reduced by between 25% and 50% due to genital herpes symptoms.

A meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of oral antiviral treatment to prevent genital herpes outbreaks

“…First, recurrent genital herpes has an economic impact with more physician consultations and less workplace productivity. 31 The cost of prolonged prophylaxis may be balanced by the economic impact of its efficacy. Second, prophylaxis significantly reduced the frequency of subclinical (asymptomatic) viral shedding, 6,23 and VACV effectively lowered the risk of HSV transmission to a seronegative partner.…”

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type 2 Glycoprotein D Subunit Vaccines and Protection against Genital HSV‐1 or HSV‐2 Disease in Guinea Pigs

“…During the initial infection, a lifelong latent infection of sacral ganglion neurons is established, reactivation of which causes recurrent genital disease that can also be painful [7]. In addition to the pain and discomfort associated with initial and recurrent infections, genital herpes causes substantial psychological morbidity [8,9], may increase the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus infection [10,11], and can be spread to susceptible sex partners and to fetuses or newborn infants [12,13]. Despite the availability of effective antiviral drug therapy [2], the prevalence of genital herpes in the United States continues to increase [3], with the estimated direct costs of genital herpes now 1$200 million annually [14].…”

Famciclovir treatment options for patients with frequent outbreaks of recurrent genital herpes: The RELIEF trial

“…Suppressive treatment may be appropriate for those with frequent (≥6 recurrences per year) 1 or severe outbreaks or those who would prefer to have fewer outbreaks, regardless of recurrence frequency. 22,23 The treatment modality is in large part driven by patient preference. While suppressive therapy has been associated with a lower risk of recurrences, 24,25 both suppressive and episodic treatments lead to improvements in quality of life and benefit patients with recurrent genital herpes.…”

“…Similarly, suppressive treatment may be discontinued as patients adjust psychologically to having the disease. 1,23,27 Conversely, suppressive treatment may be preferred when the likelihood of a recurrence is high due to common trigger factors such as mental stress, friction of the genital skin, lack of sleep or physical stress, 23 or at a time when a recurrence would be highly inconvenient, such as when going on a vacation. Ultimately, the choice of episodic or suppressive antiviral treatment should be tailored to the individual patient.…”