RSV Hospitalizations in Thai Adults Reach 9.53% Mortality Rate
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes significant illness and death in Thai adults, with a 9.53% in-hospital mortality rate among those hospitalized for acute respiratory infections, according to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The data shows that adults aged 75 and older face the highest risk, while chronic comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes further increase the likelihood of severe outcomes.
Adults 75 and Older Face Highest Mortality Risk
A retrospective analysis of 1,595 RSV-related hospitalizations between June 2016 and September 2024 reveals that age is a primary driver of death. The study found that patients aged 75 or older had a modified odds ratio (mOR) of 1.83 for in-hospital mortality. Survival rates also dropped significantly with age; while the overall 60-day survival rate was 88.2%, it fell to 84.0% for those 75 and older.
Chronic Comorbidities Drive Hospital Resource Use
The vast majority of hospitalized Thai adults with RSV had underlying health issues. According to the NCBI report, 78.4% of patients had at least one comorbidity. The most frequent conditions included:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Chronic heart disease
These conditions contributed to higher healthcare resource utilization. The median length of stay in the hospital was seven days. Patients hospitalized for seven days or longer saw their mortality risk increase (mOR 1.95). 17.3% of patients required oxygen therapy, and 8.2% required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), which was independently associated with a higher risk of death (mOR 2.94).
Thai RSV Burden Compared to Regional Trends
The clinical burden in Thailand aligns with trends seen in other Asian nations, though specific data for Southeast Asia has historically been limited. In Japan, RSV has accounted for 5.2% of adult hospitalizations due to acute respiratory infections. In South Korea, in-hospital mortality rates for RSV-related adult hospitalizations have approached 8%, slightly lower than the 9.53% observed in this Thai study.
| Metric | Thai Adult Study Findings |
|---|---|
| In-hospital Mortality Rate | 9.53% |
| Median Length of Stay | 7 Days |
| Patients with ≥1 Comorbidity | 78.4% |
| Invasive Mechanical Ventilation Rate | 8.2% |
Vaccination Modeling Predicts Thousands of Prevented Deaths
While the current data highlights the risk, modeling suggests significant potential for prevention. A study cited in the report estimated that implementing RSV vaccination for adults aged 60 and older in Thailand could prevent 3,184 deaths and 33,538 hospitalizations over a five-year period. This would also prevent an estimated 621,288 cases of acute respiratory infection and 30,871 cases of pneumonia.
Common Questions About Adult RSV in Thailand
Why are adults over 75 more vulnerable to RSV?
Age-related decline in immune function and a higher prevalence of cardiopulmonary conditions increase the risk of severe lower respiratory tract infections. The NCBI study specifically links age ≥ 75 to a lower 60-day survival rate of 84.0%.
Which existing health conditions make RSV more dangerous?
Patients with hypertension, diabetes, and chronic heart or respiratory diseases are more likely to be hospitalized. These comorbidities were present in 78.4% of the Thai adult patients analyzed in the study.
How does RSV compare to the flu in older adults?
Globally, RSV is estimated to cause approximately 336,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths annually among adults aged 70 and older, a burden that is comparable to that of seasonal influenza in high-income countries.
The Thai Clinical Trials Registry has listed this research under registration TCTR20250929005.