ADULTS diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus-associated acute respiratory infection (RSV-ARI) face nearly triple the risk of death within 1 year compared to their peers, according to a large-scale Danish study presented at ESCMID Global 2025.
Researchers conducted a nationwide cohort study involving 5,289 adults diagnosed with RSV-ARI between 2011–2022, matched against 15,867 controls from the general population. Participants were followed for 365 days, with analyses focusing on clinical outcomes, including hospitalisation and disease exacerbation, and economic impact. The study population included a significant proportion of patients with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allowing for subgroup evaluation of these at-risk groups.
The results showed a 2.7-fold increased risk of death in RSV-ARI patients within 1 year of diagnosis. These individuals also experienced significantly worse health outcomes compared to controls, with COPD exacerbations occurring 3.1 times more frequently and asthma exacerbations 4.6 times more often. Hospitalisation rates were 57% in RSV-ARI patients versus 28% in controls, while intensive care admissions were nearly quadrupled (5.3% versus 1.4%). The financial burden was equally substantial, with RSV-ARI patients incurring average direct healthcare costs of 20,181 EUR over 1 year, more than double the 8,085 EUR spent on controls.
The authors highlighted the persistent nature of RSV-ARI’s effects, noting that complications often extended well beyond the acute phase. They reinforced the importance of prioritising vaccination in vulnerable adults to reduce severe outcomes and mitigate associated healthcare costs.
This study adds significant evidence of RSV’s under-recognised long-term burden in adults, particularly those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. With effective vaccines now available, targeted prevention strategies are more crucial than ever to protect high-risk populations and alleviate pressure on healthcare systems.
Reference
Fonseca MJ et al. Clinical and economic burden of respiratory syncytial virus in adults with acute respiratory infections – a Danish nationwide cohort study. ESCMID Global 2025, 11-15 April, 2025.
