Work

Evaluating the Economic and Epidemiological Impact of RSV Hospitalizations in Southern Austria [Southern Austria Respiratory Syncytial Virus INpatient Investigation (ARNI Study)]

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: RSV bronchiolitis is a leading cause of hospitalization in infants and young children. We aimed to document the economic burden and epidemiology of RSV over seven seasons in Southern Austria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All RSV-associated hospitalized (PCR-proven) children ≤ 5 years of age between 1 October 2015 and 30 April 2022 were collected retrospectively. Demographic and epidemiologic data, along with hospitalization costs (direct and indirect), were calculated. RESULTS: Among 976 children hospitalized due to RSV infection, 87% were healthy term infants, and 79% were < 12 months old. Prematurity (13%) and pre-existing conditions (11%) significantly impacted older children-59% of cases in the 2nd compared with 68% in the 1st year of live. RSV-related hospital costs were approximately €2.0 millions per year (of a total of 60 millions per year). RSV accounted for 19% of hospitalizations due to acute respiratory illness (ARI) in children ≤ 5 years, 37% of all ARI < 6 months, 28% of all ARI < 12 and 6.3% of all-cause hospitalizations < 12 months of age, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Every 5th hospitalization due to respiratory illness in children ≤ 5 years of age was associated with RSV, representing 7.9% of all hospitalizations and 3.3% of all paediatric hospitalization costs.

Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses

DOI: 10.1111/irv.70046

Authors: G. Sever Yildiz, E. Resch, V. Strenger, E. Eber, B. Resch

Institutions: University of Graz, Medical University of Graz

Language: English

Topic: Respiratory viral infections research

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,620