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Meta-Analysis
. 2020 Feb 13:148:e48.
doi: 10.1017/S0950268820000400.

The burden of respiratory syncytial virus in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

M Tin Tin Htar  1 , M S Yerramalla  2 , J C Moïsi  1 , D L Swerdlow  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The burden of respiratory syncytial virus in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

M Tin Tin Htar et al. Epidemiol Infect. .

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common pathogen associated with acute lower respiratory tract infections in young children. RSV is also a major viral pathogen causing severe lung disease in the adult population, particularly among the elderly. We conducted a review of adult RSV studies published from January 1970 to February 2017 to determine the burden of disease among adults worldwide. There were no restrictions on health care setting or definition of RSV infection. A total of 1530 published studies were identified, 95 of which were included in this review. The incidence rates of hospitalised RSV acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) in adults >65 years old ranged from 7.3 to 13.0/105 population in Africa and Asia and from 190 to 254/105 population in the USA. Higher incidence rates (195-1790/105 population) were observed in adults ≥50 years old for outpatient or emergency visits in the USA. Of all ARI patients, RSV accounted for 1-10% in adults and 2-14% in patients with chronic diseases or transplantation. Given the limitations in the existing data, significant efforts should be made to generate evidence on the burden of RSV infections in adults and to estimate the potential impact of future preventive interventions.

Keywords: Acute respiratory infection; epidemiology; respiratory syncytial virus; surveillance.

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Conflict of interest statement

M. Tin Tin Htar, J. C. Moïsi and D. L. Swerdlow are employees of Pfizer Inc. and hold company shares. M. S. Yerramalla was an employee of Pfizer Inc. at the time of study conduct.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Flow chart of the selection process of articles. *Note that some studies included more than one outcome.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Proportion of RSV-associated ARI/ILI in the Africa region.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Proportion of RSV-associated ARI/ILI in the Americas region.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Proportion of RSV among ARI/ILI in adults in Asia.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Proportion of RSV among ARI/ILI in adults in Europe.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 6.
Proportion of RSV among ARI/ILI in adults in the USA and Canada.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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