CAREGIVER PRODUCTIVITY LOSS AND HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE ASSOCIATED WITH PEDIATRIC RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS INFECTION IN KOREA
Author(s)
Shinyoung Park, PharmD1, Eunah Jung, MS1, Seongmin Yoon, BS student2, Hae Sun Suh, MA, MS, PhD2;
1Kyung Hee University, Department of Regulatory Science, Graduate School, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 2Kyung Hee University, College of Pharmacy, Seoul, Korea, Republic of
1Kyung Hee University, Department of Regulatory Science, Graduate School, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 2Kyung Hee University, College of Pharmacy, Seoul, Korea, Republic of
OBJECTIVES: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a primary cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children, imposing a substantial burden on caregivers. This study utilized validated patient-reported outcome measures to quantify the impact of RSV on caregiver productivity loss and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among mothers who served as primary caregivers of children younger than five years with confirmed RSV infection in Seoul and five other major regions of South Korea. Participants were enrolled using proportionate quota sampling aligned with female employment distributions. Caregivers were classified into four groups based on the child’s treatment setting and caregiver employment status. Productivity loss among employed caregivers was evaluated using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI), while unpaid caregiving activities among unemployed caregivers were captured using an adapted WPAI instrument. HRQoL outcomes were measured with the EQ-5D-5L and the PedsQL Family Impact Module (PedsQL FIM).
RESULTS: Data from 248 caregivers were included in the analysis. Among children with RSV infection, 81% were managed in outpatient settings, whereas 65% experienced hospitalization. Employed mothers accounted for 67% of the sample. Weighted estimates accounting for caregiver group distribution showed that absenteeism and presenteeism were 61% and 76%, respectively. The weighted average weekly cost attributable to overall work impairment per RSV episode was USD 515.85. Mean HRQoL scores indicated considerable impairment, with EQ-5D-5L utility values of 0.639, EQ visual analogue scale scores of 53.50, and PedsQL FIM total scores of 44.13. The greatest burden was observed among employed caregivers of hospitalized children, who incurred the highest burden (USD 660.51 per RSV episode) and the lowest HRQoL.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the considerable burden on caregivers of children with RSV and highlight the need for targeted strategies to mitigate caregiver burden.
METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among mothers who served as primary caregivers of children younger than five years with confirmed RSV infection in Seoul and five other major regions of South Korea. Participants were enrolled using proportionate quota sampling aligned with female employment distributions. Caregivers were classified into four groups based on the child’s treatment setting and caregiver employment status. Productivity loss among employed caregivers was evaluated using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI), while unpaid caregiving activities among unemployed caregivers were captured using an adapted WPAI instrument. HRQoL outcomes were measured with the EQ-5D-5L and the PedsQL Family Impact Module (PedsQL FIM).
RESULTS: Data from 248 caregivers were included in the analysis. Among children with RSV infection, 81% were managed in outpatient settings, whereas 65% experienced hospitalization. Employed mothers accounted for 67% of the sample. Weighted estimates accounting for caregiver group distribution showed that absenteeism and presenteeism were 61% and 76%, respectively. The weighted average weekly cost attributable to overall work impairment per RSV episode was USD 515.85. Mean HRQoL scores indicated considerable impairment, with EQ-5D-5L utility values of 0.639, EQ visual analogue scale scores of 53.50, and PedsQL FIM total scores of 44.13. The greatest burden was observed among employed caregivers of hospitalized children, who incurred the highest burden (USD 660.51 per RSV episode) and the lowest HRQoL.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the considerable burden on caregivers of children with RSV and highlight the need for targeted strategies to mitigate caregiver burden.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
PCR194
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Health State Utilities, Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes
Disease
SDC: Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory)