Rees Sophie, Ridd Matthew, Hunt Lorelei, Everitt Hazel, Gilbertson Anna, Johnson Robert, Pickering Anthony E, van Hecke Oliver, Wylde Vikki, Wells Sian, Banks Jonathan P
Bristol Trials Centre, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Centre for Academic Primary Care, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Br J Gen Pract. 2025 Jan 30;75(751):e137-e142. doi: 10.3399/BJGP.2024.0025. Print 2025 Feb.
Shingles (herpes zoster), caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, is usually diagnosed and managed in primary care. The lifetime risk of shingles in the general population is approximately 30%, and it can have a detrimental effect on quality of life. There has been little qualitative research about patient experience and understanding of shingles.
To explore patient experiences and understanding of shingles.
Qualitative interviews with people with shingles recruited from primary care in England.
Qualitative semi-structured remote interviews were undertaken with 29 participants in a randomised controlled trial in primary care in England (ATHENA, ISRCTN14490832). Participants were aged >49 years and were diagnosed within 6 days of shingles rash onset. Interviewees were sampled for diversity in terms of pain, intervention adherence, age, gender, and ethnicity. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Interviews took place in November 2022 to April 2023. Participants' understanding of shingles was limited, particularly pre-diagnosis. A common theme was that 'everyone has heard of it, but no one knows what it is'. Television campaigns about the shingles vaccination programme helped some to recognise the rash. Shingles was understood as a disease with a variable prognosis, resulting in a sense of uncertainty about the significance when diagnosed. Participants reported a range of symptoms, which impacted on everyday life. Some people thought their diagnosis was caused by poor mental health or challenging life circumstances, a perception sometimes reinforced by healthcare professionals. Many participants sought meaning in their diagnosis, reflecting on, and sometimes changing, their life and circumstances.
Primary care practitioners should be aware of the broad spectrum of patient knowledge, and the potential for better understanding to promote early attendance and treatment to reduce the impact of shingles.
带状疱疹（水痘 - 带状疱疹病毒再激活引起）通常在初级医疗保健中进行诊断和管理。普通人群中带状疱疹的终生风险约为30%，它会对生活质量产生不利影响。关于患者对带状疱疹的体验和理解的定性研究很少。
探讨患者对带状疱疹的体验和理解。
对从英国初级医疗保健机构招募的带状疱疹患者进行定性访谈。
在英国初级医疗保健机构的一项随机对照试验（ATHENA，ISRCTN14490832）中，对29名参与者进行了定性半结构化远程访谈。参与者年龄大于49岁，在带状疱疹皮疹出现后6天内被诊断。根据疼痛、干预依从性、年龄、性别和种族对受访者进行多样化抽样。使用反思性主题分析法对数据进行分析。
访谈于2022年11月至2023年4月进行。参与者对带状疱疹的理解有限，尤其是在诊断前。一个共同的主题是“每个人都听说过它，但没人知道它是什么”。关于带状疱疹疫苗接种计划的电视宣传活动帮助一些人识别出皮疹。带状疱疹被理解为一种预后不定的疾病，导致诊断时对其严重性存在不确定感。参与者报告了一系列影响日常生活的症状。一些人认为他们的诊断是由心理健康不佳或具有挑战性的生活环境引起的，医疗保健专业人员有时会强化这种看法。许多参与者在他们的诊断中寻找意义，反思并有时改变他们的生活和环境。
初级医疗保健从业者应意识到患者知识的广泛范围，以及通过更好的理解促进早期就诊和治疗以减少带状疱疹影响的潜力。
