Wang JJ. Factors influencing anxiety and depression in postherpetic neuralgia patients. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(9): 122411 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.122411]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Jiao-Jiao Wang, Chief Nurse, Department of Nursing, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China. 15158089546@163.com
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Nursing
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Wang JJ. Factors influencing anxiety and depression in postherpetic neuralgia patients. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(9): 122411 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.122411]
World J Psychiatry. Sep 19, 2026; 16(9): 122411 Published online Sep 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.122411
Factors influencing anxiety and depression in postherpetic neuralgia patients
Jiao-Jiao Wang
Jiao-Jiao Wang, Department of Nursing, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: Wang JJ contributed to research design, data collection, data analysis, and paper writing, and was responsible for research design, funding application, data analysis, reviewing and editing, communication coordination, ethical review, copyright and licensing, and follow-up.
AI contribution statement: DeepL was used to complete the translation work for this article. The authors take full responsibility and accountability for all content of this manuscript, including any portions for which AI tools were used as assistive technologies. All AI-assisted outputs were carefully reviewed, validated, and approved by the authors. AI tools were not used to generate original scientific data, perform independent scientific analyses, or draw scientific conclusions.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author reports no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Jiao-Jiao Wang, Chief Nurse, Department of Nursing, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China. 15158089546@163.com
Received: April 22, 2026 Revised: May 22, 2026 Accepted: June 18, 2026 Published online: September 19, 2026 Processing time: 123 Days and 21 Hours
Abstract
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), one of the most common complications associated with herpes zoster, manifests as neuropathic pain that continues well into months or even years following the healing of the rash. Anxiety and depression commonly accompany PHN, affecting patients’ quality of life as well as worsening the experience of pain and compromising their adherence to treatment plans. Identifying the possible risk factors for such mood disorders is crucial to interrupting this pain-emotion loop. In this minireview, we summarize the existing literature on this issue systematically in order to provide an understanding of the risk factors that increase the incidence of anxiety and depression in PHN patients. Independent risk factors identified in the literature include female gender, old age, severe pain, chronic pain duration, wide extent of rash, high Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score, and maladaptive coping strategies. We propose a model based on clinical, psychological, and neurobiological findings to elucidate the vulnerability of PHN patients to these mood disorders.
Core Tip: Postherpetic neuralgia frequently co-occurs with anxiety and depression, driven by distinct risk factors. Female sex, advanced age, high pain intensity, prolonged disease duration, extensive rash, elevated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores, and negative coping styles independently predict comorbid mood disorders. Early psychological screening and integrated pain-psychology management are essential to break the vicious painaffect cycle and improve prognosis.
