Economic burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Colombia in 2019: A Cost-of-Illness Study

Background

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of acute respiratory infections and severe cases can lead to hospitalization or death. The epidemiology and health resource utilization of RSV infection in Colombia is not well understood. Given the recent availability of new RSV preventatives, this study estimated the economic burden of RSV in Colombia.

Methods

This cost-of-illness study employed a retrospective cohort design and bottom-up costing approach to estimate direct healthcare costs associated with RSV-related acute respiratory infections (ARI) across pediatric and adult populations. Administrative data from sentinel surveillance centers belonging to the National Epidemiological Surveillance System of the Colombian National Institute of Health, the database for the study of the Capitation Payment Unit database, and the Integrated Social Protection Information System were utilized to estimate RSV incidence, mortality, and healthcare costs. Costs were expressed in U.S. dollars (USD).

Results

A total of 264,744 RSV-related healthcare consultations were identified in 2019. The highest incidence was among infants under one year (61.8 per 1,000), while general mortality was highest in adults ≥75 years (46.6 per 100,000), followed by infants (42.4 per 100,000). Total direct healthcare costs were estimated at $682.87 million (95% CI: $281.39–$1,084.35 million), with the largest share, contributed by individuals aged ≥15 years. Among infants under one year, ICU patients had the highest average cost ($3,619), and hospitalization accounted for 49% of total spending, followed by ICU care (29%) and medications (8%).

Conclusions:

RSV poses a significant economic burden on Colombia’s healthcare system. These findings support the need for targeted prevention strategies and efficient resource allocation. Future research should incorporate indirect costs and long-term impacts.

Highlights:

• The study provides the first national-level estimate of the economic burden of RSV in Colombia using comprehensive administrative data.

• The highest incidence and healthcare costs are observed in infants under one year and adults over 75, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies.

• The findings can inform health policy and resource allocation decisions in Colombia’s universal healthcare system.