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Hospitalizations for herpes zoster virus more common in patients with IBD

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WASHINGTON — Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases have higher hospitalization rates for the herpes zoster virus, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week 2018.

Daniela Guerrero Vinsard, MD, of the University of Connecticut Health Center, and colleagues said their findings suggest that current recommendations regarding HZV vaccination strategies for these patients need to be revised.

“The ACG in 2017 recommended that adults with IBD over the age of 50 may consider vaccination against herpes zoster virus, including some patients that might be immunosuppressed,” Vinsard said during her presentation.

Vinsard and colleagues conducted a population-based cohort study using the 2012 United States National Inpatient Sample ICD-9 codes. They measured the frequency at which patients with IBD were admitted to the hospital for HZV, as well as other vaccine-preventable diseases like pneumococcal pneumonia and diphtheria.

Of 41,246 patients admitted to the hospital with one of the diseases, 397 had IBD.

When researchers compared admission rates between patients with and without IBD, they found that that HZV hospitalization rates were significantly higher in the IBD cohort (39.6% vs. 30.27%; P < .0001). Patients with IBD had slightly lower admission rates for pneumococcal pneumonia, and there was no significant difference in admission for the other diseases, according to the study.

Vinsard and colleagues said their findings suggest that a more rigorous HZV vaccination strategy is needed for patients with IBD.

“With our findings, we can say further research needs to be done related to the occurrence of herpes zoster virus in the IBD population” Vinsard said. “But patients with IBD may benefit from vaccination, especial recombinant zoster vaccine ... upon diagnosis, early in the course of the disease and ideally prior to start immunosuppressive therapy.” – by Alex Young

Reference:

Vinsard DG, et al. Abstract 13. Presented at: Digestive Disease Week; June 2-5, 2018; Washington, D.C.

Disclosures: Vinsard reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the DDW faculty disclosure index for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.