Curr Med Res Opin. 2026 Oct 8:1-16. doi: 10.1080/03007995.2026.2741493. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe the care planning, post-discharge health and health-related quality of life in severe viral lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) patients and their caregivers.
METHODS: Data were derived from the Adelphi Real World LRTD Disease Specific Programme, a cross-sectional survey of physicians, patients hospitalized with LRTD 6-24 months prior to survey and their caregivers, conducted in in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan in 2024.
RESULTS: Physicians (n = 273) reported data for 1071 patients. Patient median (IQR) age was 69.0 (59.0, 76.0), 59.2% were male and 88.6% were White. Patients had a mean of 2.4 ± 2.0 comorbidities at admission, with 27.4% having pneumonia, 27.1% COPD and 25.0% cardiovascular disease. The most common viral etiologies were SARS-CoV2 (46.0%) and influenza A (21.7%) and 34.9% of patients received a post-discharge care plan, most commonly including bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medication (53.7%) and oxygen therapy (31.6%). In total, 212 patients provided self-reported data. Patients reported an impact on their ability to move/exercise (62.3%), physical health (52.8%), and mental health (66.0%). Mean EQ-5D-5L and VAS scores were 0.72 ± 0.20 and 67.0 ± 20, respectively. Overall work impairment was 23.7 ± 25.5%, and activity impairment was 34.8 ± 24.6%. A quarter (25.0%) of caregivers (n = 104) reported a moderate-to-severe impact of caring on their physical health, and 50.0% reported moderate-to-extreme impact on their sleep. Mean WHO-5 wellbeing score was 58.5 ± 24.8, Zarit Burden Interview score was 15.0 ± 10.2. Caregiver work impairment was 27.8 ± 27.3%, with an overall activity impairment of 31.9 ± 28.2%.
CONCLUSION: Patients and their caregivers continue to experience notable physical and mental health burdens following hospitalization for LRTD, with impacts on HRQoL, wellbeing, and productivity. Our data highlights the need for more adequate care adequate support for patients and caregivers after discharge.
PMID:42845158 | DOI:10.1080/03007995.2026.2741493