KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 — GSK recently released new data insights from a global survey, marking the launch of Shingles Action Week (February 23 to March 1).
The global survey, funded and commissioned by GSK, reveals how over 78 per cent of adults, who responded to the survey, worry shingles may disrupt their everyday life, and 72 per cent are concerned it may lead to long-term stays in hospital.
Yet, more than half (54 per cent) indicated they are yet to initiate an informed conversation about shingles with their health care provider.
The findings underscore the importance of including shingles in the chronic health condition agenda more prominently.
A global survey of more than 6,000 adults aged 50 and over across 10 countries explored shingles awareness and experiences among people living with certain chronic health conditions, a group at increased risk of shingles and who is more likely to face heightened complications.
The survey data highlights the need for further public health education surrounding shingles risk and impact for adults aged 50 and over living with certain chronic health conditions, showing how among those who have experienced shingles, many (42 per cent) report severe pain that significantly disrupted their daily lives, with a third (33 per cent) stating shingles stopped them from working or attending social events.
Prof Zamberi Sekawi, president of the Malaysian Society of Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy (MSIDC) said: “Shingles is often not discussed during routine or specialist health appointments, particularly for adults aged 50 and over who are already managing ongoing health concerns.
“Shingles can cause severe pain and long-term complications that may significantly affect quality of life. In conjunction with Shingles Action Week, MSIDC hopes to raise greater awareness and encourage at-risk adults to feel confident in discussing shingles and preventive options, including vaccination, with their health care provider.”
Globally, shingles can affect up to one in three adults in their lifetime, and can reactivate in a severe form in adults living with chronic heart failure, diabetes, and renal failure, a patient population at increased risk of shingles.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, more than two million adults in Malaysia are living with three types of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), namely diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, or obesity.
Clinical studies have demonstrated that cardiovascular disease increases shingles risk by 34 per cent and diabetes by 38 per cent.
Despite high concerns of severe shingles complications among respondents, awareness of the link between low immunity, chronic ill-health and shingles reactivation is still rather low.
One in four (25 per cent) believe that their chronic health condition does not impact their immune system nor risk of shingles, and nearly half (46 per cent) are unaware that their chronic health condition may increase their risk of severe shingles.
Dr Alap Gandhi, Country Medical Director at GSK Malaysia, said: “Many adults know that their chronic health condition requires regular management but may not realise how it can also affect their immune system.
“As our immunity naturally declines with age, conditions like diabetes and kidney disease can affect the immune system. Other chronic conditions, such as heart disease, COPD or asthma, also significantly increase the risk of developing shingles.
“Understanding these risk factors is an important step in prioritising shingles as part of the healthy ageing conversation.”
The survey results highlight the need for greater public health education on how chronic ill-health and lowered immunity may increase shingles risk, reframing shingles awareness as an essential part of routine care for adults aged 50 and over living with certain chronic health conditions.