The Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Understanding Impacts on the NHS, Society and Economy.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that affects large numbers, mainly of children younger than five. The burden of RSV includes not only ill health for the children with the virus, which in severe cases results in hospitalisation, intensive care and even death; but also the emotional and practical burden on the affected families and carers; and the impact that has on productivity in the economy; alongside the costs of providing healthcare. We reviewed recent literature and published data relevant to the UK and used this information to model the costs to the healthcare system and to the wider UK economy in terms of productivity losses of parents/carers. We found healthcare costs and productivity losses in the UK resulting from RSV in children younger than five total approximately £80 million annually. These costs are the consequence, in part, of an estimated 467,000 GP visits per year in the UK for children aged under five with RSV and 34,000 hospitalisations. Our study also presents additional material, identified in the literature review, on the health impacts on affected children and the nature of the burden on parents and families of caring for a young child with RSV. The consequences of RSV are short-term for the majority of cases, but for some there are long term sequelae including poorer respiratory health in later life. RSV is also responsible for the deaths each year in the UK of an estimated 33 children under five.

A rapid evidence assessment exploring whether antimicrobial resistance complicates non-infectious health conditions and healthcare services, 2010-20.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest public health threats at this time. While there is a good understanding of the impacts of AMR on infectious diseases, an area of less focus is the effects AMR may be having on non-communicable health conditions (such as cancer) and healthcare services (such as surgery). Therefore, this study aimed to explore what impact AMR is currently having on non-communicable health conditions, or areas of health services, where AMR could be a complicating factor impacting on the ability to treat the condition and/or health outcomes. To do this, a rapid evidence assessment of the literature was conducted, involving a systematic approach to searching and reviewing the evidence. In total, 101 studies were reviewed covering surgery, organ transplants, cancer, ICUs, diabetes, paediatric patients, immunodeficiency conditions, liver and kidney disease, and physical trauma. The results showed limited research in this area and studies often use a selective population, making the results difficult to generalize. However, the evidence showed that for all health conditions and healthcare service areas reviewed, at least one study demonstrated a higher risk of death for patients with resistant infections, compared with no or drug-susceptible infections. Poor health outcomes were also associated with resistant infections in some instances, such as severe sepsis and failure of treatments, as well as a greater need for invasive medical support. While there are gaps in the evidence base requiring further research, efforts are also needed within policy and practice to better understand and overcome these challenges.