Client Challenge

RSV causes a substantial disease burden, typically with annual seasonality peaking in the winter months. However, its burden in adults is underestimated due to non-specific symptomatology and limited standard-of-care testing. To overcome these hurdles, model-based studies were conducted to link the variability in viral activity with the variability in an outcome that is expected to be related to RSV (e.g., bronchitis) while accounting for baseline seasonality and co-circulation of other important pathogens like influenza. 

Our solution

By leveraging our expertise in modelling and RSV, we developed a generic study protocol that incorporates a model-based approach to estimate RSV-attributable hospitalisations, emergency department visits, general practitioners’ visits, and deaths. We identified potential data sources for eight selected countries of interest in Europe, North America, Oceania and Asia, and designed a questionnaire to assess the characteristics of the identified data sources. We summarised our findings and recommendations in a feasibility report.

The model-based study was piloted in two countries and implemented in the remaining six countries.

Our IMPACT

• Conducted complex database studies covering 8 countries across 4 continents
• Published generic protocol and 8 study findings in scientific journals or at scientific conferences