Adult RSV-Ari in connection with higher death risks and health costs in healthcare

New study results presented at the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Global 2025 showed a higher risk of death in adults, which compared to the general population (RSV-ARI) infected with respiratory-syncytial virus-associated acute acute respiratory infection (RSV-ARI).¹

RSV-ARI means a different disease caused by RSV, which mainly influences the airway, which leads to serious results in adults, including pneumonia and chronic respiratory diseases.¹ According to the CDC, ARI metric is used to pursue the activity of the respiratory diseases by monitoring the emergency vision for a variety of breathing diagnoses, from cold to severe infections such as influenza, covid-19 and RSV. In contrast to the previous influenza-like disease (ILI), Ari includes diseases that may not occur with fever and convey a more comprehensive understanding of the trends of respiratory diseases.²

A Danish nationwide cohort study evaluated data from adults aged 18 and over, in which RSV-ARI was diagnosed between 2011 and 2022 to evaluate the undercognated, long-term health and the economic burden by RSV-ARI. The authors of the study found that a total of 5289 adults were included and compared with 15,867 cohorts from the general population.¹

The results showed that adults with RSV-ARI were not only exposed to an increased risk of death, but also achieved significantly poorer health results, including 3.1-fold more frequent chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD) and 4.6 times more frequent asthma examination over a period of 365 days.¹

“One of the most striking results of this study was the extended and significant influence of RSV-Ari,” said Maria João Fonseca, a senior study author, in a press release. “Even after the acute phase, the patients continued to experience worse results compared to the general population. This underlines how serious and the effects of RSV-ARI can be.”¹

Further results showed that the hospital stay rates for RSV-Ari patients were more than twice as high (57% compared to 28%), and the intensive care unit for the unity of the intensive care was almost 4 times higher (5.3% compared to 1.4%). The economic effects were significant, with the total direct health costs for RSV Ari patients doubled the amount issued for the control group.¹

“Stricter of COPD and asthma were the most common disadvantageous clinical results. These existing conditions are already a challenge in themselves, and RSV-ARI tightens their severity. For this reason, it is crucial that we patients with these underlying conditions to prevent further, continue to prevent threatening,” said Fonseca in one news.¹

The results indicate that adults with RSV-Ari have a 2.7-fold increased risk of death within 1 year compared to the general population. The authors of the study found that these results highlight the essential and frequently underestimated long-term health and economic stress by RSV-ARI in adults, especially for those with underlying diseases such as COPD and asthma.¹

“Vaccination has proven to be extremely effective in order to prevent serious results from RSV. In view of the considerable burden of RSV-ARI, which was emphasized by our study, the prioritization of vaccination is essential for population groups in need of protection in order to reduce both health complications and the associated costs,” said Fonseca.¹

Currently, the CDC recommends a single dose of one of the RSV vaccine-RSVPref3 (Arexvy; GSK), RSVPref (Abrysvo; Pfizer) and MRNA-1345 (MRSVIA; Moderna)-for all adults who are 75 years old, as well as people who are 60 to 74 years old.³

“We hope that our results will inspire the further research of the broader clinical and social stress by RSV, especially in groups with high risk,” concluded Fonseca. “This will help shape more targeted prevention strategies and to ensure prompt interventions for those who need the most urgent.”¹

References

1. Frequent airway triples the risk of death in adults, as new studies determine. Eurkalert!. Press release. April 11, 2025. Access on April 30, 2025.

2. Activity level of the breathing virus. CDC. Press release. Updated on April 25, 2025. Access on April 30, 2025.

3. RSV vaccines. CDC. Press release. August 30, 2024. Access on April 17, 2025.