Inpatient and Outpatient Costs Associated With Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Japanese Infants and Older Adults

Objective: To evaluate healthcare resource use for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Japan. Methods: Using JMDC and Medical Data Vision (MDV) claims databases, we retrospectively evaluated cost and length of hospital/intensive care unit stays in RSV-diagnosed cohorts of infants (<12 months) and older adults (OAs, ≥60 years). We analyzed the usage and costs of palivizumab in infants. Results: Mean costs among those hospitalized were $2823 (USD); $2851; and $6609 (¥131 [JPY]/$) in JMDC-infant (n = 13,752); MDV-infant (n = 22,142); and MDV-OA cohorts (n = 165), respectively. The mean cost was higher in those aged <1 month, with risk factors, and severe RSV disease. Mean cumulative cost of palivizumab prophylaxis in JMDC infant cohort was $6796/year. Conclusion: RSV causes enormous economic burden in infants and OAs.