Clinical Report: Burden of RSV and Influenza in Older French Adults (2010–2020)

Overview

This study estimated the incidence of GP visits, hospitalizations, and deaths attributable to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza in French adults aged ≥50 years over ten epidemic seasons. RSV caused twice as many GP visits as influenza, with similar hospitalization rates and lower mortality, resulting in a substantial healthcare and economic burden comparable to influenza.

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus are major causes of respiratory infections, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as older adults. While influenza burden is well documented, RSV burden in adults is often underestimated due to diagnostic challenges and infrequent testing. Both viruses can cause severe respiratory complications and exacerbate underlying conditions, leading to hospitalizations and deaths. Model-based time-series analyses provide a method to estimate virus-attributable healthcare utilization and mortality more accurately.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• RSV was responsible for approximately 647,619 GP visits annually in adults aged ≥65 years, double the number attributable to influenza.
• Hospitalization rates for RSV and influenza in this age group were similar, with about 24,319 RSV-related hospitalizations per year.
• Mortality attributable to RSV was lower than influenza, with an estimated 878 deaths annually among adults ≥65 years.
• The mean annual cost of hospitalizations due to RSV was estimated at €105 million, comparable to influenza-related hospitalization costs.
• RSV burden in older adults is substantially higher than previously reported, likely due to underdiagnosis and limited testing.
• Both RSV and influenza infections are associated with increased risks of cardiac events in hospitalized adults aged ≥50 years.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should recognize RSV as a significant cause of respiratory illness and healthcare utilization in older adults, comparable to influenza. Enhanced diagnostic testing and surveillance for RSV in adults could improve disease burden estimates and patient management. These findings support the potential value of RSV vaccination campaigns targeting older populations to reduce morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.

Conclusion

This comprehensive model-based analysis reveals that RSV imposes a substantial and previously underestimated burden on older adults in France, comparable to influenza in terms of hospitalizations and costs. These data underscore the importance of including RSV in public health strategies and vaccination programs for older adults.

References

1. Original Study (2024) -- Assessment of GP Consultations, Hospital Admissions, and Mortality Linked to RSV and Influenza in Older Adults in France