Estimation of the number of RSV-associated hospitalisations in adults in the European Union.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections in adults that can result in hospitalisations. Estimating RSV-associated hospitalisation is critical for planning RSV-related healthcare across Europe.

METHODS: We gathered RSV-associated hospitalisation estimates from the RSV Consortium in Europe (RESCEU) for adults in Denmark, England, Finland, Norway, Netherlands, and Scotland from 2006-2017. We extrapolated these estimates to 28 EU countries using nearest-neighbour matching, multiple imputations, and two sets of 10 indicators.

RESULTS: On average, 158229 (95%CI:140865-175592) RSV-associated hospitalisations occur annually among adults in the EU (≥18years); 92% of these hospitalisations occur in adults ≥65years. Among 75-84years, the annual average is estimated at 74519 (69923-79115) at a rate of 2.24 (2.10-2.38) per 1000. Among ≥85years, the annual average is estimated at 37904 (32444-43363) at a rate of 2.99 (2.56-3.42).

CONCLUSION: Our estimates of RSV-associated hospitalisations in adults are the first analysis integrating available data to provide the disease burden across the EU. Importantly, for a condition considered in the past to be primarily a disease of young children, the average annual hospitalisation estimate in adults was lower but of a similar magnitude to the estimate in young children(0-4years): 158229 (140865-175592) versus 245244 (224688-265799).