Impact of respiratory syncytial virus disease on quality of life in adults aged ≥50 years: A qualitative patient experience cross‐sectional study

• Published in: Influenza and other respiratory viruses Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 462 - 473
• Main Authors: Curran, Desmond, Cabrera, Eliazar Sabater, Bracke, Benjamin, Raymond, Kimberly, Foster, April, Umanzor, Cindy, Goulet, Philibert, Powers, John H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.05.2022; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Adults; Aged; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Cognitive ability; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Illnesses; Influenza; InFLUenza Patient Reported Outcome (FLU‐PRO); Literature reviews; Middle Aged; Older people; Original; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Polymerase chain reaction; qualitative research; Quality of Life; Recreation; Respiratory diseases; Respiratory syncytial virus; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - epidemiology; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Signs and symptoms; Viruses; United States > US; InFLUenza Patient Reported Outcome (FLU-PRO); qualitative research; quality of life; respiratory syncytial virus
• ISSN: 1750-2640; 1750-2659
• DOI: 10.1111/irv.12929

Background Information about the impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on quality of life in older adults is limited. This study characterized the patient experience of RSV illness in USA older adults and assessed the content validity of the InFLUenza Patient Reported Outcome (FLU‐PRO) in this population. Methods This qualitative, non‐interventional, cross‐sectional study included hybrid concept elicitation and cognitive debriefing interviews with 30 individuals (age ≥50 years) with polymerase chain reaction‐confirmed RSV diagnosed within 6 months of screening. Targeted literature review was first conducted to inform the development of interview materials. Webcam or telephone interviews were conducted by qualitative researchers using a semistructured interview guide. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using Excel and NVivo software. Results All participants reported impacts on daily activities, social activities, and relationships during RSV disease. Physical functioning was impaired in 25 (83%) participants, and 18 (60%) reported not engaging in leisure activities/hobbies. All nine participants who were working reported major impacts on work. Most (n = 28; 93%) described emotional impacts. A majority (n = 19; 63%) reported symptoms lasting beyond the acute disease stage from a week to >1 month. Symptom concepts reported generally matched FLU‐PRO items and domains. Cognitive debriefing indicated that FLU‐PRO was easy to understand and captured participants' experiences of RSV illness. Conclusions This study indicates that RSV disease in adults aged ≥50 years in the USA has substantial impacts on daily life and that the concepts included in FLU‐PRO are appropriate and fit for purpose as a measure of RSV symptoms in this population.