Measuring RSV Risk Awareness Among Adults With Diabetes

A majority of surveyed adults with diabetes reported they had never heard of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or had never considered RSV as a potential cause of their symptoms when sick, according to new findings published in Diabetes.

The burden of RSV infection is greater in older adults and adult patients with chronic conditions, including diabetes, in the United States. However, there is a lack of understanding about knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions related to RSV among adults with diabetes. Researchers aimed to assess RSV-related knowledge among adults at risk of RSV infection, including those with diabetes.

A cross-sectional, web-based survey targeting US adults aged between 18 and 89 years old was conducted between May 2022 and June 2022. The survey aimed to evaluate knowledge of general respiratory infections as well as RSV. The sample included more than 200 adults from 4 subgroups: adults aged 18 to 59 years with diabetes, at least 1 chronic pulmonary condition, or at least 1 cardiac condition; as well as adults aged 60 to 89 years.

A total of 339 adults with diabetes completed the survey, accounting for 41.0% of the total respondents (n=339/827). Among these individuals, 78.2% (n=265/339) reported being knowledgeable about respiratory infections. However, more than 60% (n=206/339) had never heard of RSV. 

Among those aware of RSV, 69.9% (n=93/133) rarely considered RSV as a potential cause of their cold or flu-like symptoms. Several knowledge gaps were identified, including confusion between bacterial and viral causes of respiratory infections and lack of awareness about RSV seasonality, frequency of occurrence, and symptoms.

In terms of risk perception, between 28.6% and 60.4% of respondents believed their risk of contracting RSV was lower compared to 5 other respiratory infections. However, only 19.6% to 38.9% perceived RSV as less severe than other respiratory infections.

“This study highlights key RSV knowledge gaps and attitudes/perceptions among US adults with diabetes. Given the increased risk of severe RSV-related outcomes among these adults, findings can be used by health care providers to inform their patient education efforts related to RSV disease awareness,” researchers concluded.

Reference: 
La E, Bunniran S, Garbinsky D, et all. Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among U.S. adults with diabetes. Diabetes. 2023;72(1)524-P. doi:10.2337/db23-524-P