The Multifaceted Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infections in Young Children on the Family: A European Study

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Multifaceted Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infections in Young Children on the Family: A European Study

AU - Trautmannsberger, Ilona

AU - Plagg, Barbara

AU - Adamek, Ina

AU - Mader, Silke

AU - de Luca, Daniele

AU - Esposito, Susanna

AU - Silfverdal, Sven Arne

AU - Zimmermann, Luc J I

AU - Tischer, Christina

AU - ResQ Family study group

AU - Ravens-Sieberer, Ulrike

N1 - © 2024. The Author(s).

PY - 2024/7

Y1 - 2024/7

N2 - INTRODUCTION: Since the majority of hospitalisations due to RSV occur in young children, the illness profoundly influences the entire family. However, comprehensive evidence regarding its overall effects remains limited. The ResQ Family study aims to investigate the burden of RSV-induced pediatric hospitalisation on affected families.METHODS: Spanning the 2022-2023 RSV season, an interdisciplinary, observational study was conducted in Germany, France, Italy and Sweden. Using an online questionnaire, parents and caregivers of children (< 24 months of age) with an RSV-induced hospitalisation were recruited. Information was gathered on topics related to RSV and parental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the acute infection phase (t0) and 6 weeks later (t1). Descriptive evaluations of the data set were performed during t0 and regarding a potential change over the observation period (t0 vs. t1). Subgroup analysis aimed to further identify differences across the countries.RESULTS: A total set of 138 affected parents/caregivers were included in the study, with 59 participants responding to the follow-up survey (t1). Particularly during the acute infection phase, parental HRQoL was shown to be negatively influenced by the child's RSV infection [total score (p < 0.001, d = 0.54), parent HRQoL summary score (p < 0.001, d = 0.67) and family functioning summary score (p = 0.007, d = 0.33)]. Significant disparities in disease awareness and support structures were observed across Europe, with France and Sweden showing notably higher levels.CONCLUSION: The ResQ Family study provides convincing evidence that RSV-associated hospitalisations in young children across Europe generate a multifaced burden for the entire family, partly even beyond the acute infection phase. Standardised approaches for disease prevention at societal, educational and policy levels are needed to guarantee every newborn the best possible start into life.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier, NCT05550545.

AB - INTRODUCTION: Since the majority of hospitalisations due to RSV occur in young children, the illness profoundly influences the entire family. However, comprehensive evidence regarding its overall effects remains limited. The ResQ Family study aims to investigate the burden of RSV-induced pediatric hospitalisation on affected families.METHODS: Spanning the 2022-2023 RSV season, an interdisciplinary, observational study was conducted in Germany, France, Italy and Sweden. Using an online questionnaire, parents and caregivers of children (< 24 months of age) with an RSV-induced hospitalisation were recruited. Information was gathered on topics related to RSV and parental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the acute infection phase (t0) and 6 weeks later (t1). Descriptive evaluations of the data set were performed during t0 and regarding a potential change over the observation period (t0 vs. t1). Subgroup analysis aimed to further identify differences across the countries.RESULTS: A total set of 138 affected parents/caregivers were included in the study, with 59 participants responding to the follow-up survey (t1). Particularly during the acute infection phase, parental HRQoL was shown to be negatively influenced by the child's RSV infection [total score (p < 0.001, d = 0.54), parent HRQoL summary score (p < 0.001, d = 0.67) and family functioning summary score (p = 0.007, d = 0.33)]. Significant disparities in disease awareness and support structures were observed across Europe, with France and Sweden showing notably higher levels.CONCLUSION: The ResQ Family study provides convincing evidence that RSV-associated hospitalisations in young children across Europe generate a multifaced burden for the entire family, partly even beyond the acute infection phase. Standardised approaches for disease prevention at societal, educational and policy levels are needed to guarantee every newborn the best possible start into life.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier, NCT05550545.

U2 - 10.1007/s40121-024-00989-0

DO - 10.1007/s40121-024-00989-0

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 38767780

VL - 13

SP - 1531

EP - 1573

JO - INFECT DIS THER

JF - INFECT DIS THER

SN - 2193-8229

IS - 7

ER -