Why carry out this study?

There is a gap in the literature regarding the burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among elderly Medicare patients who have a high risk of RSV complications due to age or comorbidity.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate predictors of hospitalization and quantify the clinical and economic burden of RSV among Medicare patients in the USA.

What was learned from the study?

Hospitalized elderly patients with RSV had higher associated healthcare resource utilization, mainly driven by a higher proportion of comorbidities, higher likelihood of multiple inpatient admissions, and costly medical interventions as compared with patients who were never hospitalized.

The study may help providers to identify patients at highest risk for hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality and take appropriate measures regarding RSV management.