Postherpetic Neuralgia After Herpes Zoster and Incident Dementia Risk (NCT07399288) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Postherpetic Neuralgia After Herpes Zoster and Incident Dementia Risk
Taiwan68,786 participantsStarted 2015-10-01
Plain-language summary
This retrospective observational cohort study uses de-identified electronic health record data from the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network to evaluate whether postherpetic neuralgia after herpes zoster is associated with an increased risk of incident dementia. Adults aged 40 to 120 years with incident herpes zoster between 1 October 2015 and 31 December 2024 are identified using diagnostic codes. Postherpetic neuralgia is defined by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes B02.22 or B02.29 recorded between 90 and 365 days after the index herpes zoster date, and comparators have no such codes within 365 days after index. The primary analysis uses 1:1 propensity score matching and a 365-day landmark design, including only individuals alive and free of dementia at the landmark. Time-to-event analyses estimate hazard ratios for incident dementia and related outcomes.
Who can participate
Age range
40 Years – 120 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged 40 to 120 years with an incident herpes zoster diagnosis recorded between 1 October 2015 and 31 December 2024 in the TriNetX network.
* A 3-year washout period with no recorded herpes zoster diagnosis before the index date.
* Eligible for analysis at the 365-day landmark after the index date, defined as being alive and free of the specified outcome at the landmark.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Any record of the specified outcome before the 365-day landmark.
* Missing data elements required to define exposure status within the prespecified time window.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Incident all-cause dementia
Timeframe: From the 365-day landmark after the index herpes zoster date to the earliest of the first record of dementia, death, loss to follow-up, or 31 December 2024.