Neuropathic Pain and Traditional Medicine Syndromes in Herpes Zoster: a Cross-Sectional Study

This study is a cross-sectional and case series study conducted at Le Van Thinh Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, between January and June 2024. It aims to evaluate the correlation between neuropathic pain characteristics and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes in patients with Herpes Zoster (HZ). The study includes 80 participants diagnosed with HZ, whose pain severity is assessed using the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) scale. The participants are classified into TCM syndromes based on standard diagnostic criteria, including Liver Meridian Depression and Heat Syndrome (LMD), Spleen Deficiency and Dampness Retention Syndrome (SDA), and Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Syndrome (QSA).

The primary objectives of the study are:

To determine the prevalence of different TCM syndromes in HZ patients. To analyze the correlation between LANSS scores and specific TCM syndromes. To provide insights into the integration of objective neuropathic pain assessment tools with traditional diagnostic frameworks.

Data collection includes demographic characteristics, medical history, pain characteristics, TCM diagnostic features, and clinical examination results. Statistical analyses include correlation tests and multinomial logistic regression to assess the relationship between LANSS pain scores and TCM syndromes.

The study findings will contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between neuropathic pain and TCM syndromes in Herpes Zoster. The results may help refine diagnostic approaches and optimize integrative treatment strategies for pain management in patients with HZ.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged ≥18 years
• Clinically diagnosed with Herpes Zoster (HZ) based on European Consensus Guidelines
• Experiencing neuropathic pain associated with HZ
• Willing to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• History of chronic pain conditions unrelated to HZ
• Receiving immunosuppressive therapy or diagnosed with immunodeficiency disorders
• Patients who had already received antiviral or analgesic treatment before evaluation
• Patients unable or unwilling to provide informed consent