Estimated Cardiorespiratory Hospitalizations Attributable to Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Among Long-term Care Facility Residents.

Abstract

Importance\nOlder adults residing in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are at a high risk of being infected with respiratory viruses, such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Although these infections commonly have many cardiorespiratory sequelae, the national burden of influenza- and RSV-attributable cardiorespiratory events remains unknown for the multimorbid and vulnerable LTCF population.\n\n\nObjective\nTo estimate the incidence of cardiorespiratory hospitalizations that were attributable to influenza and RSV among LTCF residents and to quantify the economic burden of these hospitalizations on the US health care system by estimating their associated cost and length of stay.\n\n\nDesign, Setting, and Participants\nThis retrospective cohort study used national Medicare Provider Analysis and Review inpatient claims and Minimum Data Set clinical assessments for 6 respiratory seasons (2011-2017). Long-stay residents of LTCFs were identified as those living in the facility for at least 100 days (index date), aged 65 years or older, and with 6 months of continuous enrollment in Medicare Part A were included. Follow-up occurred from the resident s index date until the first hospitalization, discharge from the LTCF, disenrollment from Medicare, death, or the end of the study. Residents could re-enter the sample; thus, long-stay episodes of care were identified. Data analysis was performed between January 1 and September 30, 2020.\n\n\nExposures\nSeasonal circulating pandemic 2009 influenza A(H1N1), human influenza A(H3N2), influenza B, and RSV.\n\n\nMain Outcomes and Measures\nCardiorespiratory hospitalizations (eg, asthma exacerbation, heart failure) were identified using primary diagnosis codes. Influenza- and RSV-attributable cardiorespiratory events were estimated using a negative binomial regression model adjusted for weekly circulating influenza and RSV testing data. Length of stay and costs of influenza- and RSV-attributable events were then estimated.\n\n\nResults\nThe study population comprised 2\u202f909\u202f106 LTCF residents with 3\u202f138\u202f962 long-stay episodes and 5\u202f079\u202f872 person-years of follow-up. Overall, 10\u202f939 (95% CI, 9413-12 464) influenza- and RSV-attributable cardiorespiratory events occurred, with an incidence of 215 (95% CI, 185-245) events per 100\u202f000 person-years. The cost of influenza- and RSV-attributable cardiorespiratory events was $91\u202f055\u202f393 (95% CI, $77\u202f885\u202f316-$104\u202f225\u202f470), and the length of stay was 56\u202f858 (95% CI, 48\u202f757-64 968) days.\n\n\nConclusions and Relevance\nThis study found that many cardiorespiratory hospitalizations among LTCF residents in the US were attributable to seasonal influenza and RSV. To minimize the burden these events place on the health care system and residents of LTCFs and to prevent virus transmission, additional preventive measures should be implemented.