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. 2022 Nov;16(6):1082-1090.
doi: 10.1111/irv.13003. Epub 2022 Jun 30.

Modelled estimates of hospitalisations attributable to respiratory syncytial virus and influenza in Australia, 2009-2017

Allen L Nazareno  1   2 , David J Muscatello  1 , Robin M Turner  3 , James G Wood  1 , Hannah C Moore  4 , Anthony T Newall  1
Affiliations

Modelled estimates of hospitalisations attributable to respiratory syncytial virus and influenza in Australia, 2009-2017

Allen L Nazareno et al. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza are important causes of disease in children and adults. In Australia, information on the burden of RSV in adults is particularly limited.

Methods: We used time series analysis to estimate respiratory, acute respiratory infection, pneumonia and influenza, and bronchiolitis hospitalisations attributable to RSV and influenza in Australia during 2009 through 2017. RSV and influenza-coded hospitalisations in <5-year-olds were used as proxies for relative weekly viral activity.

Results: From 2009 to 2017, the estimated all-age average annual rates of respiratory hospitalisations attributable to RSV and seasonal influenza (excluding 2009) were 54.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 20.1, 88.8) and 87.8 (95% CI: 74.5, 97.7) per 100,000, respectively. The highest estimated average annual RSV-attributable respiratory hospitalisation rate per 100,000 was 464.2 (95% CI: 285.9, 641.2) in <5-year-olds. For seasonal influenza, it was 521.6 (95% CI: 420.9, 600.0) in persons aged ≥75 years. In ≥75-year-olds, modelled estimates were approximately eight and two times the coded estimates for RSV and seasonal influenza, respectively.

Conclusions: RSV and influenza are major causes of hospitalisation in young children and older adults in Australia, with morbidity underestimated by hospital diagnosis codes.

Keywords: RSV hospitalisation; burden; epidemiology; influenza hospitalisation; regression modelling; time series analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Hannah Moore is a lead investigator on a Merck Sharp and Dohme Investigator Initiated study and has previously received consultancy payment for participation in expert input forums. These activities are not related to her involvement in this current manuscript. David Muscatello is an unpaid member of the Immunisation Coalition, a not‐for‐profit organisation that delivers science‐based advocacy for immunisation against infectious disease in Australia. The Coalition's revenue sources include healthcare and pharmaceutical companies. All other authors reported no known potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Weekly rate per 100,000 population of RSV‐coded and influenza‐coded hospitalisations (principal or other diagnosis field) for children aged <5 years, Australia, July 2008 to June 2018. RSV, respiratory syncytial virus
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Comparison of the average annual estimate of modelled (attributable) and coded hospitalisations (any diagnosis field) from 2009 to 2017 for RSV and 2010 to 2017 for seasonal influenza, by age group, Australia. RSV, respiratory syncytial virus
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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