Higher severity of infant RSV infections is associated with lower parental quality of life – a European observational study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: RSV infections in children affect the entire family. Nevertheless, evidence on the overall impact is scarce. This multi-country observational study aims to investigate the association between disease severity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in affected families and to explore the role of factors related to mental well-being. METHODOLOGY: Data were collected during the 2022-2023 RSV season in Germany, France, Italy and Sweden via an online questionnaire from parents of children (24 months) hospitalised for RSV. Parental HRQoL was assessed using the validated caregiver-reported PedsQL Family Impact Module. Exploratory analyses and multivariate linear regression models were performed focusing on potential key determinants. RESULTS: A total set of 138 participants was assembled. Parents of children with a severe RSV infection had on average - 12.1 [95% CI: -21.2 to - 3.03; P = 0.010] lower HRQoL Summary Score than parents of children with low severity index scores. Subsequent stratified analyses revealed a stronger association among parents who had not been offered (adequate) mental health support. CONCLUSION: Higher RSV disease severity was associated with lower parental HRQoL. These findings highlight the importance of preventing severe RSV infection and the need for further research to identify and evaluate appropriate (psychosocial) support for affected families. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier, NCT05550545. Registered 12 September 2022.
Authors: Ilona Trautmannsberger, Sabina Bösl, Ina Adamek, Christian Apfelbacher, Philippe Beutels, Brigitte Essers, Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer, Catherine Weil-Olivier, Raffaella Nenna, Martin Wetzke, Silke Mader, Christina Tischer, Luc J. I. Zimmermann, the ResQ Family study group, Kajsa Bohlin, Louis Bont, Daniele De Luca, Katarina Eglin, Susanna Esposito, Fabio Midulla, Raffaella Nenna, Barbara Plagg, Audrey Reynaud, Karl Rombo, Sven Arne Silfverdal, Catherine Weil-Olivier, Sven Wellmann, Martin Wetzke, Christian Apfelbacher, Philippe Beutels, Brigitte Essers, Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer
Institutions: Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht University, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, University of Antwerp, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Université Paris Cité, Sapienza University of Rome, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, University Medical Center Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, University of Parma, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin und Public Health, Umeå University, University of Regensburg
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,990
OpenAlex ID: W7170968664