Sawair Faleh A, Jassim Zahra A, Malkawi Ziad A, Jamani Kifah D
Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Jordan, PO Box 13930, Amman 11942, Jordan.
Saudi Med J. 2010 Jul;31(7):808-13.
To study the epidemiologic aspects of recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) in a young adult population and to evaluate treatments used by affected patients.
A cross-sectional survey conducted on a random sample of 1000 students of The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan between May and September 2008. Subjects with RHL were identified and asked to describe their disease and its management. Chi-square and t-test were used to compare differences between groups.
The point prevalence of RHL was 2.3%, annual prevalence was 17%, and lifetime prevalence was 26.4%. The prevalence was related to the place of living, income, and college, but not to gender, marital status, medical history, smoking, or aphthous stomatitis. Eruptions occurred mostly on the left side of the lower lip and systemic upset, stress, and cold weather were the main triggering events. The mean age of onset was approximately 15 years. Of the cases, 51.2% reported at least 2 recurrences annually and 61.7% had positive family history. Nearly one-half of cases have treated the lesions and only 18.2% have used antiviral therapies. Some used lipstick, vaseline, tahini, or toothpaste to cover lesions. Treatment was recommended mostly by relatives and friends, only 26.3% sought treatment advice from medical practitioners.
A high prevalence of RHL among this population was found. There is a need to educate patients with RHL on treatment options available to reduce their distress and to improve their quality of life.
研究青年人群复发性唇疱疹（RHL）的流行病学特征，并评估受影响患者所采用的治疗方法。
2008年5月至9月间，对约旦安曼市约旦大学1000名学生的随机样本进行了横断面调查。识别出患有RHL的受试者，并要求他们描述自己的病情及其处理方式。采用卡方检验和t检验比较组间差异。
RHL的点患病率为2.3%，年患病率为17%，终生患病率为26.4%。患病率与居住地点、收入和学院有关，但与性别、婚姻状况、病史、吸烟或复发性阿弗他口炎无关。皮疹大多发生在下唇左侧，全身不适、压力和寒冷天气是主要诱发因素。平均发病年龄约为15岁。在这些病例中，51.2%的人报告每年至少复发2次，61.7%的人有阳性家族史。近一半的病例对病损进行了处理，只有18.2%的人使用了抗病毒疗法。一些人使用口红、凡士林、芝麻酱或牙膏来遮盖病损。治疗建议大多来自亲戚和朋友，只有26.3%的人向医生寻求治疗建议。
该人群中RHL的患病率较高。有必要对RHL患者进行有关可用治疗选择的教育，以减轻他们的痛苦并改善他们的生活质量。
