Burden of Pertussis in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older: A Retrospective Database Study in England

IntroductionPertussis, a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis, affects people of all ages. Older adults are particularly susceptible to its severe outcomes and complications.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, the incidence rate of pertussis among individuals aged >= 50 years was assessed during 2009-2018 using Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Hospital Episode Statistics databases, United Kingdom. Health care resource utilisation (HCRU) and direct medical costs (DMCs) were compared between patients with a pertussis diagnosis and propensity score-matched controls (matched on demographic and clinical variables).ResultsAmong 5,222,860 individuals, 1638 had a pertussis diagnosis (incidence rate: 5.8 per 100,000 person-years; 95% confidence interval 5.5-6.0). Baseline (- 18 to - 6 months) HCRU and DMC were similar among 1480 pertussis patients and 1480 matched controls. However, there were increases in HCRU in the pertussis vs. matched cohort around the pertussis diagnosis (from months - 6 to - 1 to 5-11). The most notable increases (pertussis vs. controls) were in the rates of general practitioner (GP)/nurse visits (4.7-fold), clinical assessments (4.1-fold), and accident and emergency visits (3.0-fold) during the month before diagnosis and GP/nurse visits during the 2 months after diagnosis (2.5-fold) (all p < 0.001). DMCs were significantly higher in the pertussis cohort (p < 0.001). Total excess DMC in the pertussis cohort during months - 1 to + 11 was 318 pound per patient.ConclusionA pertussis diagnosis among adults aged >= 50 years resulted in significant increases in HCRU and DMC across several months around diagnosis. These results highlight the need for increased awareness of pertussis infection among adults aged >= 50 years and suggest that pertussis booster doses among this population should be considered.

Automated summary

This retrospective cohort study assessed the incidence rate of pertussis among individuals aged >= 50 years in the United Kingdom. The results showed a pertussis incidence rate of 5.8 per 100,000 person-years. Significant increases in healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs were observed in the months surrounding the pertussis diagnosis, highlighting the need for increased awareness and pertussis booster doses among adults aged >= 50 years.