Edward Walsh

and 7 more

Background: The burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in adults is of growing concern. This study was designed to quantify disease burden, treatment approaches, and outcomes associated with RSV infections in adult subpopulations, from pre-hospitalization to hospital discharge. Methods: A retrospective chart analysis was conducted to collect patient-case data from hospitalized US adults (aged >18 years) with RSV infection during two RSV seasons. Patients were categorized into risk groups: comorbid lung disease, immunocompromised, older adults (aged ≥65 years), and other adults (aged <65 years). Physicians reported diagnosis, treatment choices including respiratory supportive therapy (oxygen and fluid supplementation), and outcome variables using a standardized online case form. Results: The majority (277/379; 73%) of patients presented to the emergency room, with a mean age of 60 years. Once hospitalized, median length of stay was 6.0 days (3.0-9.0), with disease severity having the greatest impact on duration of stay. No significant between group differences in rates of patients requiring management in intensive cares unit were found (comorbid lung disease, 28%; immunocompromised, 36%; older adult, 26%; and other adult, 23%). Overall, respiratory supportive therapy was the most commonly used form of treatment. Antibiotics were administered in over half of all risk groups (comorbid lung disease, 61%; immunocompromised, 59%; older adult, 59%; and other adult, 51%). Patients usually required follow-up visits following discharge, with 10%-16% requiring skilled nursing care and approximately 25% requiring assistance from a social worker. Conclusion: RSV in adult subpopulations, irrespective of age, is a significant burden to healthcare systems.

Elli Makariadou

and 11 more

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of hospitalisation in infants and children. This study aimed to identify common patient characteristics and baseline predictors of hospital length of stay (LOS) among infants diagnosed with RSV infection. Methods: This is a descriptive analysis of data from three separate prospective observational paediatric studies in Belgium, Japan, and New Zealand. Hospitalised children ≤5 years of age with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of RSV infection and an onset of symptoms ≤5 days prior to hospitalisation were considered for inclusion. We collected demographic and clinical information and the hospital LOS for each patient. LOS was assessed by age, presence of comorbidity, presence of prematurity, duration of symptoms and by country. Results: Overall, 181 patients were included in the analysis. The majority of patients (84%; 152/181) were otherwise healthy; only 16% (29/181) had comorbidity. Median hospital LOS was longer in Belgium and Japan than in New Zealand (5, 7, and 3 days, respectively). Presence of comorbidity prolonged hospital stay, with the effect on hospital LOS varying by country. Age, duration of symptoms prior to hospitalisation, and premature birth were not predictive of hospital LOS. Conclusion: In this cohort of children ≤5 years old hospitalised for RSV infection, medical practice varied greatly between countries. Although overall, comorbidity was associated with longer LOS, while other predictive factors were of little value in estimating LOS.