Global burden and trends of respiratory syncytial virus infection across different age groups from 1990 to 2019: A systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease 2019 Study

Abstract

Objective: Understanding the global patterns of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is crucial for developing effective prevention and control strategies.

Methods: Data on RSV-related burden were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2019. Joinpoint regression models were used to assess the global temporal trends of RSV and further stratified analyses were conducted according to the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), which is a composite measure of income, education, and total fertility. Age-period-cohort model was used to evaluate age, period, and cohort effects.

Results: In 2019, the global age-standardized rate of mortality (ASMR) and disability-adjusted life years (ASR-DALYs) of RSV were 4.79/100,000 (95% uncertainty interval [95% UI]: 1.82/100,000-9.32/100,000) and 218.34/100,000 (95% UI: 92.06/100,000-376.80/100,000), respectively. The burden of RSV was higher in men than women. The highest ASMR (10.26/100,000, 3.80/100,000-20.16/100,000) and ASR-DALYs (478.71/100,000, 202.40/100,000-840.85/100,000) were reported in low-SDI region. Although mortality and DALYs rates in all age groups declined globally, the pace of decline was not uniform across age groups. Mortality rate in the elderly over 70 years surpassed that in children under 5 years in 2019.

Conclusion: This study highlights the need for targeted interventions to reduce the burden of RSV, particularly in low-SDI region, and among the elderly over 70 years.

Keywords: Age-period-cohort model; Epidemiologic characteristics; Respiratory syncytial virus; Trends.