Herpes zoster infections in systemic lupus erythematosus : risk factors and outcome

Objective. To determine factors that influence the frequency and outcome of herpes zoster infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. In this case-central retrospective study, patients with a history of zoster infection were identified from our computerized database of 348 patients with SLE. Medical records were reviewed to establish activity of SLE at the time of zoster, as well as complications of the zoster infection. Results. Fifty-five episodes of zoster occurred among 47 (13.5%) patients, at a rate of 16 episodes/1000 patient-years of followup