Affective temperament profiles in patients with herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: a comparative analysis using TEMPS-A scale

Introduction: This study aimed to compare affective temperament profiles between HZ and Q5 PHN patients and examine relationships among temperaments, pain intensity, quality of life, depression, and anxiety. Method: This prospective, cross-sectional study included 70 participants (35 HZ, 35 PHN) recruited from a university pain clinic. Affective temperaments were assessed using the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A). Additional measures included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Neuropathic Pain Impact on Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (NePIQoL), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain. Results: PHN patients were significantly older than HZ patients (69.31 ± 6.16 vs. 63.40 ± 9.36 years, p=0.003). Significant differences emerged across all temperament domains (p