Estimating respiratory syncytial virus health utility values for older adults and their caregivers in the Japanese population: a time trade-off study

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus affecting the respiratory system in all ages. The study's objective was to obtain RSV-related health utility values for older adults and their caregivers from the Japanese population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted among Japanese adults (≥18 years) between April - June 2023 to quantify the burden of RSV. Participants completed an online survey with six vignettes describing RSV-related health states for patients and caregivers: severe lower respiratory tract infection (sLRTI), lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Using a time trade-off (TTO) approach, respondents indicated the number of days they would trade to avoid these health states. Quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) losses were then estimated. RESULTS: Of 1,770 participants, 1,529 were excluded, leaving 241 for analysis (45 with caregiving experience). Median discounted TTO values were 73, 22, and 7 days for sLRTI, LRTI, and URTI, respectively, and 31, 16, and 3 days to avoid caregiving burden. QALY losses were 0.200, 0.060, and 0.018 for patients and 0.086, 0.043, and 0.008 for caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Japanese individuals are willing to trade a significant number of days from the end of their life to avoid an RSV episode or its caregiver burden.