Burden of Disease From Acute Respiratory Infections Due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Colombia: A Low- and Middle-Income Country With Universal Health Coverage

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to estimate the RSV-related disease burden in Colombia from 2017 to 2019.

METHODS: we conducted a disease burden study using a "bottom-up" approach. Using information from sentinel centers, we estimated the proportion of patients with acute respiratory infections (ARI) who seek healthcare and whose etiology is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Subsequently, using a national health claims database, we estimated the proportion of individuals in Colombia who seek healthcare services under suspicion of ARI. These proportions were calculated for age strata, sex, and (contributory/subsidized regime). We estimated the for patients diagnosed with ARI due to RSV at sentinel centers from the healthcare system perspective and the associated mortality. The probable number of ARI cases due to RSV, incidence per 1,000 inhabitants, case fatality associated with RSV hospitalization, and the associated for the healthcare system were estimated. Costs presented were adjusted to 2023 dollars.

RESULTS: From 2017 to 2019, an estimated 533,505 cases of RSV required healthcare services in Colombia. Notably, 19.13% of these were (70.01 cases per 1,000 inhabitant-year), and (1.62 cases per 1,000 inhabitant-year). ranged from 3.39 to 4.10 per 1,000 inhabitants. Case fatality was around 7.78 per 1,000 patients, being higher in older than 5 years. The total cost of RSV patients between 2017 and 2019 was USD$1,083.83 million (USD$379,9 in 2017, USD$333,7 in 2018, USD$370,2 in 2019; USD$170.87 for patients under 1 year old, and USD$440.18 for adults [20 years or older]).

CONCLUSIONS: RSV significantly strains the Colombian healthcare system with a high number of cases, fatality, and associated costs. RSV predominantly affects infants but also poses a risk to older adults. This study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions and enhanced surveillance to mitigate RSV's impact on public health in Colombia.