The Impact of Chronic Medical Conditions on RSV Hospitalization Rates in Adults

In a study of adults aged 50 and older hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, those with chronic medical conditions, especially older adults, had higher hospitalization rates, suggesting they may benefit most from RSV vaccination. 

In 2023, the CDC recommended RSV vaccination for adults aged 60 years and older through shared clinical decision-making, while clinical trials for younger age groups are ongoing. Identifying chronic conditions linked to increased RSV hospitalization risk can help shape vaccination policies for this age group.

Researchers compared RSV hospitalization rates among community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and older with and without 9 chronic medical conditions in a 38-county catchment area across 8 states from October 2017 to April 2018. The data included hospitalizations in adults with and without medical record documentation of each chronic condition, with laboratory-confirmed RSV infection identified by the RSV Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RSV-NET).

A study of 1692 adults over the age of 50 years hospitalized with RSV infection found that 86.9% had at least 1 chronic condition. Hospitalization rates were significantly higher for those with multiple chronic conditions, those aged 60 to 74 years and 75 years or older compared to those with no chronic conditions or those aged 50 to 59 years. Individuals with chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe obesity, asthma, diabetes, current smoking, and nonsevere obesity had higher RSV hospitalization rates compared to those without these conditions. The rates of RSV hospitalization among adults with chronic conditions were highest in the oldest age groups.

“In community-dwelling adults aged ≥50 years, RSV hospitalization rates were higher among older adults and those with a history of select chronic conditions. These populations might benefit most from RSV vaccination when recommended for use,” said researchers. 

Reference 
Woodruff RC, Hamid S, Pham H, et al. Chronic conditions as risk factors for respiratory syncytial virus-associated hospitalization among community-dwelling adults aged ≥50 years, 2017 to 2018. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2025;12(suppll 1):P-715. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofae631.911