Key Challenges to Understanding the Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Older Adults in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa: An Expert Perspective

IF 3.4 3区医学 Q2 MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL

Advances in Therapy Pub Date : 2024-09-23 DOI:10.1007/s12325-024-02954-2

Hakan Günen, Ashraf Alzaabi, Abdelaziz Bakhatar, Sana Al Mutairi, Kittipong Maneechotesuwan, Daniel Tan, Mohammed Zeitouni, Bhumika Aggarwal, Arnas Berzanskis, Otávio Cintra

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Abstract

Introduction

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, highly contagious pathogen and a leading cause of serious illness among infants and older adults. While existing scientific evidence has predominantly focused on the epidemiology and disease burden of RSV in infants, data in older adults remain limited in some countries, including those in Southeast Asia (SEA) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Here, we outline the key challenges for understanding the burden of RSV in older adults in SEA and the MENA region and we propose opportunities for improving understanding and eventually reducing the impact of RSV.

Main Findings and Conclusions

A key challenge identified by the expert group, particularly in older adults, is a lack of awareness (among healthcare professionals, policy makers, and the public) of RSV burden and the associated risks for severe outcomes. This is often confounded by the complexities of underdiagnosis, surveillance limitations, and comorbidities. To address these issues, we suggest medical education initiatives for physicians in SEA and the MENA region to better understand the need to protect older adults from RSV, and encourage more widespread routine testing to better understand the burden of RSV. We also recommend surveillance studies in these regions to provide comprehensive and accurate epidemiological data on RSV in older adults. Finally, in the absence of current surveillance data in these regions, we propose extrapolating existing global data and local pediatric data to inform the likely burden of RSV in older adults.

A graphical abstract is available with this article.

Graphical Abstract

查看原文本刊更多论文

了解东南亚、中东和北非老年人呼吸道合胞病毒负担的主要挑战：专家视角》。

导言：呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）是一种常见的高传染性病原体，也是导致婴儿和老年人患重病的主要原因。现有的科学证据主要集中在婴儿 RSV 的流行病学和疾病负担方面，而在一些国家，包括东南亚（SEA）和中东及北非（MENA）地区，有关老年人的数据仍然有限。在此，我们概述了了解东南亚和中东及北非地区老年人 RSV 负担所面临的主要挑战，并提出了增进了解和最终减少 RSV 影响的机会：专家组发现的一个主要挑战是（医疗保健专业人员、政策制定者和公众）对 RSV 负担和相关的严重后果风险缺乏认识，尤其是在老年人中。而诊断不足、监测局限性和合并症等复杂因素又常常使这一问题变得更加复杂。为了解决这些问题，我们建议对东南亚和中东及北非地区的医生开展医学教育活动，使他们更好地了解保护老年人免受 RSV 感染的必要性，并鼓励更广泛地开展常规检测，以更好地了解 RSV 的负担。我们还建议在这些地区开展监测研究，以提供有关老年人 RSV 的全面、准确的流行病学数据。最后，在这些地区目前缺乏监测数据的情况下，我们建议推断现有的全球数据和当地儿科数据，以了解老年人 RSV 可能造成的负担。本文附有图表摘要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Advances in Therapy 医学-药学

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

2.60%

发文量

353

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Advances in Therapy is an international, peer reviewed, rapid-publication (peer review in 2 weeks, published 3–4 weeks from acceptance) journal dedicated to the publication of high-quality clinical (all phases), observational, real-world, and health outcomes research around the discovery, development, and use of therapeutics and interventions (including devices) across all therapeutic areas. Studies relating to diagnostics and diagnosis, pharmacoeconomics, public health, epidemiology, quality of life, and patient care, management, and education are also encouraged. The journal is of interest to a broad audience of healthcare professionals and publishes original research, reviews, communications and letters. The journal is read by a global audience and receives submissions from all over the world. Advances in Therapy will consider all scientifically sound research be it positive, confirmatory or negative data. Submissions are welcomed whether they relate to an international and/or a country-specific audience, something that is crucially important when researchers are trying to target more specific patient populations. This inclusive approach allows the journal to assist in the dissemination of all scientifically and ethically sound research.