Exploring the epidemiological burden of RSV pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic: A Jordanian tertiary hospital experience
Objectives To describe changes in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemiology, its associated clinical outcomes and predictors of severe acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) pre- and post-COVID-19. Methods In this retrospective cohort, we analysed data from electronic medical record of...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of International Medical Research |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605241306405 |
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| Summary: | Objectives To describe changes in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemiology, its associated clinical outcomes and predictors of severe acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) pre- and post-COVID-19. Methods In this retrospective cohort, we analysed data from electronic medical record of children <5 years who were hospitalized at Jordan University Hospital with RSV-associated ALRTI from 2018 to 2022. Results 325 inpatients with respiratory infections were included. Rate of RSV infections decreased from 74% pre-pandemic to 30% post-pandemic. Patients diagnosed with ALRTI post-COVID had significantly higher SpO2, less chronic disease, lower temperature and respiratory rate at admission and fewer days in hospital compared with those diagnosed pre-COVID. Furthermore, patients diagnosed pre-pandemic were significantly more likely to have abnormal X-rays, used more antibiotics and antivirals, and had higher rates of severe disease than those with infection post-COVID. Conclusion COVID-19 and its associated social restriction measures led to changes in RSV epidemiology, characterized by a decline in rates and clinical severity in the post-pandemic period. However, further studies are needed to characterize the impact of COVID-19 on subsequent RSV seasons. |
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| ISSN: | 1473-2300 |