Economic burden and health-related quality-of-life of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza infection in European community-dwelling older adults

Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus infections result in a considerable mortality and morbidity among the ageing population globally. Influenza vaccination for older adults before the seasonal influenza epidemic has been evaluated to be cost-effective in many countries. Interventions against RSV in older adults are in the pipeline, and evaluating their cost-effectiveness is crucial for decision-making. To inform such evaluations, our aim was to estimate average costs and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in older adults with RSV and influenza infection. Methods The European “RESCEU” observational cohort study followed 1040 relatively healthy community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above during two consecutive winter seasons. Healthcare resource use and HRQoL were collected and analyzed during RSV episodes, and also during influenza episodes. Country-specific unit cost data were mainly obtained from national databases. Direct costs were estimated from a patient, healthcare provider, and healthcare payers’ perspective, whereas indirect costs were estimated from a societal perspective. Due to small sample size, no formal statistical comparisons were made. Results Thirty-six RSV and 60 influenza episodes were reported, including one hospitalization. Means [medians] (1st-3rd quartile) of €26.4[5.5](0-47.3) direct and €4.4[0](0-0) indirect costs were reported per non-hospitalized RSV episode, and €42.5[36](3.3-66.7) direct and €32.1[0](0-0) indirect costs per non-hospitalized influenza episode. For RSV episodes, the utility value decreased from 0.896[0.928](0.854-0.953) to 0.801[0.854](0.712-0.937) from pre-season to one week after symptom onset; for influenza, the change was from 0.872[0.895](0.828-0.953) to 0.664[0.686](0.574-0.797). Conclusion The average costs and HRQoL estimates of older adults treated outside the hospital can be used to inform the design of future studies and the decision-making regarding interventions to prevent RSV infection in older adults. Larger studies are needed to provide better country-specific and complementary cost estimates and to allow for formal statistical comparison of costs between RSV and influenza.

Jaar van publicatie:2022

Trefwoorden:A1 Journal article

Toegankelijkheid:Open