Clinical Scorecard: Assessment of GP Consultations, Hospital Admissions, and Mortality Linked to Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza in Older Adults in France from 2010 to 2020, Alongside Hospitalization-Related Costs

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• RSV infection in adults ≥65 years responsible for approximately 647,619 GP visits, 24,319 hospitalizations, and 878 deaths annually in France.
• GP visit incidence rates for RSV were twice those for influenza; hospitalization rates were similar, but RSV mortality was lower than influenza.
• Mean annual cost of RSV-attributable hospitalizations was estimated at €105 million, comparable to influenza-related hospitalization costs.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Recognize that RSV burden in adults is underestimated due to non-specific symptoms and infrequent standard-of-care testing.
• Use time-series regression modeling and viral activity data to estimate RSV and influenza attributable events.
• Consider both respiratory and cardiorespiratory ICD-10 codes for comprehensive diagnosis and surveillance.

Management

• Monitor vulnerable populations such as older adults and those with comorbidities closely for respiratory viral infections.
• Anticipate potential cardiac complications in adults hospitalized with RSV or influenza infections.
• Prepare for vaccination campaigns targeting RSV to reduce disease burden in older adults.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Utilize GP electronic medical records and national hospital databases for ongoing surveillance of RSV and influenza incidence.
• Track hospitalizations and mortality rates stratified by age and diagnosis type to assess disease impact.
• Evaluate hospitalization costs to inform healthcare resource allocation.

Risks

• Increased risk of severe respiratory complications and death in older adults and those with underlying conditions.
• Elevated risk of acute cardiovascular events in adults hospitalized with RSV or influenza infections.
• Underdiagnosis and underreporting of RSV due to diagnostic limitations and coding inaccuracies.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Adults aged ≥50 years in France, especially those ≥65 years

RSV and influenza infections cause significant healthcare utilization; vaccination and early detection may reduce hospitalizations and associated costs.

Clinical Best Practices

• Incorporate comprehensive viral testing and accurate ICD-10 coding to improve RSV diagnosis in adults.
• Apply time-series modeling approaches to estimate viral disease burden for informed public health decisions.
• Focus preventive strategies, including vaccination, on older adults to mitigate RSV and influenza impact.
• Monitor for cardiac complications in patients hospitalized with respiratory viral infections.
• Use cost data to guide resource planning and evaluate the economic impact of RSV and influenza.

References

• Tidbit graphical abstract and study summary