Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42270893›Full record

ReviewAging clinical and experimental research2026

Clinical and human burden of respiratory syncytial virus in older adults: a narrative review with emphasis on Italian data.

Nicola Veronese, Ligia Dominguez, Giovanni M Giammanco, Pietro Giuseppe Innocenti, Ida Mancuso, Francesco Saverio Ragusa, Francesco Vitale, Mario Barbagallo

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Aging clinical and experimental research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Nicola VeroneseGeriatric Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90100, Italy. nicola.veronese@unipa.it.
Ligia DominguezGeriatric Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90100, Italy.
Giovanni M GiammancoDipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza G. D'Alessandro (PROMISE), Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico P. Giaccone-University of Palermo, Palermo, 90127, Italy.
Pietro Giuseppe InnocentiPfizer S.r.l, Roma, Italy.
Ida MancusoPfizer S.r.l, Roma, Italy.
Francesco Saverio RagusaGeriatric Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90100, Italy.
Francesco VitaleDipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza G. D'Alessandro (PROMISE), Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico P. Giaccone-University of Palermo, Palermo, 90127, Italy.
Mario BarbagalloGeriatric Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90100, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a well-known driver of bronchiolitis and hospital admissions in infants. It is also a major threat for adults aged ≥ 60 years, causing acute respiratory infection with substantial morbidity and mortality. Only recently RSV surveillance programs have been implemented in Europe. In Italy, InfluNet, which has monitored influenza-like illness since 2000, began systematic RSV surveillance in the 2022-2023 season, now integrated within the national RespiVirNet framework. Interest in the burden of RSV infection in older patients has increased rapidly, particularly with new preventive tools. This narrative review summarizes recent evidence on the epidemiology and clinical features of RSV in older people, focusing on Italian data. The burden associated with hospitalization, functional and cognitive sequelae is emphasized, and comparisons with influenza are made. Evidence shows that RSV plays a significant role in winter hospital admissions among older adults, often leading to complications and lingering functional deficits beyond discharge. Those with preexisting conditions are especially at risk, and recent findings point to potential associations with cognitive deterioration. Numerous studies reveal that the severity of RSV-related hospitalisations matches that seen with influenza. Although more robust and harmonized data are needed, current evidence supports implementing targeted prevention strategies to lessen the impact of RSV in older adults. An integrated approach-combining rapid and sensitive diagnostics, routine surveillance, and access to preventive measures such as immunisation, particularly for frail individuals-holds promise for reducing the burden of RSV infection and alleviating pressures on national health services.

Indexed as

Respiratory Syncytial Virus, HumanRespiratory Syncytial Virus InfectionsAgedCost of IllnessHospitalizationHumansItalyElderlyHospitalizationMortalityRespiratory syncytial virusSequelae

Identifiers

PMID42270893
PMCPMC13478030

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.