Evaluation of Disease Burden (COMORBIDITIES, LENGTH OF HOSPITALIZATION AND HEALTHCARE RESOURCE UTILIZATION) from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Illness in United Arab Emirates: A Retrospective Cohort Claims Database Study

OBJECTIVES: Globally, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) among children in the first years of life. The aim of this study was to assess the disease burden (comorbidities, length of hospital stay, and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and cost) among children (<18 years of age) diagnosed with RSV, as captured in an insurance e-claims data source in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted from 01 January 2014 to 30 September 2023, using Dubai Real-World Database (DRWD), a private insurance claims database. Patients aged ≤18 years of age with a first-episode diagnosis (primary, secondary, or hospital admission) claim for RSV, any time during the index period (01 January 2014 to 30 June 2023) were analyzed. The patients were age stratified, Cohort 1 (0–2 years), Cohort 2 (2–6 years) and Cohort 3 (6–18 years), and outcomes were analyzed during a 3-month follow-up period.

RESULTS: The study identified 25,729 (91.8%) pediatric patients with RSV of the total 28,011 patients (<2 years: 12,683, 2-6 years: 10,573, 6-18 years: 2,473). In the 0-to 2-year-olds, 44.43% of the study patients had a respiratory disease diagnosis associated with RSV, and risk factors identified included congenital disorders (1.21%), low birth weight (0.17%), and immunodeficiency disorders (1.14%). The average length of hospitalization was about 4 days for each Cohort. The RSV median cost for hospitalization was the major cost driver across all the three cohorts (<2 years USD 2,156.45; 2-6 years: USD 2,240.85; 6-18 years: USD 1,996.35).

CONCLUSIONS: In the youngest age group, almost half of patients had an RSV-associated respiratory disease, although few had a recognized risk factor. There were substantial hospitalization costs in the three age groups. These findings can inform healthcare stakeholders on future policy measures.