A systematic literature review to assess the burden of herpes zoster disease in China

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY What is the purpose of this summary? This summary is to help you understand findings from recent research. This summary is about 2 studies that are part of a larger group of studies with these medications. Researchers look at many studies to understand whether a medication works, how it works, and whether it is safe to prescribe to patients. What is known? People with type 2 diabetes often need several medicines to control their blood sugar. Some people find it difficult to take a lot of different tablets, and some people may not want to. This can lead to difficulties with managing type 2 diabetes. Combining medicines into 1 tablet may help make it easier to take the treatment and to manage type 2 diabetes, which gives people more choices. What is new? The combination of empagliflozin, linagliptin, and metformin extended-release (metformin XR for short) in 1 tablet is approved for type 2 diabetes. This combination could help people take all the treatments and better manage their type 2 diabetes. Introduction Herpes zoster (HZ) or shingles occurs as a result of reactivation after a primary infection with varicella zoster virus (chickenpox). The burden of HZ in older adults in China is not well understood. We conducted a systematic literature review to understand the burden of disease related to HZ, its complications, and associated costs in China. Areas covered Using publications retrieved from Chinese and English literature databases, we described incidence and prevalence of HZ, occurrence of HZ-related complications, and costs associated with HZ in mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Expert opinion The data, although limited, indicate that the burden of disease due to HZ is substantial in China, with incidence rates that are comparable to the rest of the world. Recently, an adjuvanted recombinant HZ vaccine was approved for use in China. Disease prevention is likely to reduce the burden of disease, with potentially significant economic benefits. However, understanding the public health impact of vaccination in China will require extensive baseline information about incidence, complication rates, and associated costs. This review gives an overview of available research, but also reveals existing gaps. Well-designed observational studies are needed to quantify the total burden of disease and potential impact of prevention through vaccination.