Work

Raising the patient’s voice in influenza research and care: a systematic review of patient-reported outcomes

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) enable the evaluation of patients’ perspectives in relation to their health and well-being. This paper reviews PRO instruments, regulatory guidelines, and product labels for influenza and influenza-like illness (ILI) to recommend strategies for their optimal use in clinical research. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review of publications and electronic records reporting PROs for influenza and influenza-like illness. RESULTS: The systematic search identified 112 items, of which 36 were included in the final analysis (20 clinical research publications; two national guidelines; eight influenza intervention product labels; and six PRO instrument descriptions). We identified influenza-specific PRO instruments developed to assess symptom severity and impact of influenza, or the acceptability and safety of influenza interventions; several of these have been used in clinical research, enabling a better understanding of the impact of influenza and influenza interventions. However, further research on the use of influenza-specific PROs in routine care settings is needed. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, we describe opportunities and challenges for PROs and propose recommendations to facilitate wider implementation of PROs in influenza research and patient care.

Source: BMC Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1186/s12879-026-12821-w

Authors: Elizabeth Meda-Monzón, Paloma Muñoz-Aguirre, Barbara Aída Flores-Aldana, Chad Gwaltney, José Bartelt-Hofer

Institutions: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Sanofi (France)

Language: English

Topic: Influenza Virus Research Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,090