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
Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
0741238X
eISSN
18658652
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85204609541
Journal Title
Advances in Therapy
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Advances in Therapy (2024)
Suggested Citation
Günen H., Alzaabi A., Bakhatar A., Al Mutairi S., Maneechotesuwan K., Tan D., Zeitouni M., Aggarwal B., Berzanskis A., Cintra O. 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. Advances in Therapy (2024). doi:10.1007/s12325-024-02954-2 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/101402
Title
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
Author's Affiliation
Siriraj Hospital
University of Health Sciences
College of Medicine and Health Sciences United Arab Emirates University
Zayed Military Hospital
Al-Amiri Hospital
Kuwait University
GlaxoSmithKline plc.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca
GSK
University of the East College of Medicine
GSK
University of Health Sciences
College of Medicine and Health Sciences United Arab Emirates University
Zayed Military Hospital
Al-Amiri Hospital
Kuwait University
GlaxoSmithKline plc.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca
GSK
University of the East College of Medicine
GSK
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
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: (Figure presented.)
