In a nutshell
The purpose of this study was to examine the association between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and the risk of herpes zoster (HZ). The study concluded that patients with T1DM are at a higher risk of HZ than people without T1DM.
Some background
Patients with diabetes have an impaired regulation of their immune system. In general, patients with diabetes are more prone to infections than those without diabetes. Herpes zoster is the virus that can causes chickenpox and shingles. The symptoms of chickenpox are a mild fever and a rash of itchy inflamed pimples that turn to blisters and then scabs. This mainly affects children. The virus that causes chickenpox and shingles is not the same virus responsible for cold sores or genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection. It is unclear whether there is an association between the herpes zoster virus and diabetes.
Methods & findings
This study included 4,736 patients with T1DM receiving insulin therapy. The study also included 18,944 participants without diabetes. They measured the risk of HZ in the T1DM group compared to the non-T1DM group.
Patients with T1DM were more than twice as likely to have the herpes zoster virus than those without T1DM. Those with serious T1DM (those with more complications due to the disease) were 5 times more likely to have the herpes zoster virus.
The bottom line
The current study concluded that patients with T1DM are at a higher risk of HZ than people without T1DM.
The fine print
This study was carried out in an Asian population and therefore the risk of HZ in other populations may differ.
Published By :
PLOS ONE
Date :
May 12, 2016
Had diabetes type 1 for 11 years and have recently contracted shingles
Hi I believe my mom has them. Did your sugar read higher during the shingles.
I’m pretty sure I do not have diabetes & I have recently had shingles.
Hi, I’m 46 years old and my mother is insulin-dependent diabetic.
About two months ago I did an analytical and I got the ggt in 256. My doctor took me off for three months.
I have Type 2 Diabetes and have had Shingles three times. On the third occasion it appeared on both arms at once. They say it only effects one side of the body.
Ive been getting shingles in my left shoulder for past four years. Breaks in between getting further apart pain is so intense though.
I have type 1 diabetis and i have measles its is on my torso at the moment slowly traveling is this ok to carry on normally or should I see my GP..please
Recently was diagnosed with Shingles.. They released me back to work and 2 days later my blood pressure was 150/99 and all of a sudden I am type 2?
Wtf?
Never been diagnosed with high blood sugar or High blood pressure before.