1381 - Rotavirus Gastroenteritis among older adults: discussion based on a systematic literature review

Background: While the burden of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (RGE) is well recognized in young children, it is less so in older adults. However, older adults are also at high-risk of Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) severe outcomes. In this review, we thus aimed to comprehensively assess RGE burden and vaccination impact in older individuals.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature review with PubMed and Scopus, from 2000 to 2019, using MESH and free-range terms. We included only studies that reported the incidence, and/or RV vaccination impact, in adults aged 60 and above and using regional specific data-sources.

Results: We analyzed 11 manuscripts for individuals aged 60 and above (Figure 1). Studies spanned Australia, Sweden, Netherlands, Canada (2), Germany (2), UK (2), and the US (2). Yearly inpatient RV incidence varied between 1.6 per 100,000 in Australia for those 65+ (retrospective database analyses, pre-vaccine); and 26 per 100,000 for those 85+ in Canada (modeling estimates for 2006-10, pre-vaccine). The incidence rate ratio for inpatient RGE between the post and pre-vaccine periods for those 65+ was 0.57 [95% CI: 0.10 – 3.15] in Canada, but 2.24 [95%CI: 1.78-2.83] in Australia, which may be due to increased testing for RV in the elderly post-vaccine.  Reductions in the post-vaccination burden of RV and AGE among 60+ were reported in the UK (2 studies), and the US (2 studies) via retrospective database analyses In the UK, post-vaccine reductions in AGE health care-utilization were reported in the Emergency Department (21%), and outpatient centers (walk-in centers: 47%; general practice consultations: 36%).: Retrospective database analyses documenting the incident rate ratio (IRR) of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (RGE) and Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) in older adults between the pre and post-vaccine period.
: Retrospective database analyses documenting the incident rate ratio (IRR) of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (RGE) and Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) in older adults between the pre and post-vaccine period.


Conclusion: While the burden of RGE mainly falls on young children, it also affects older adults. Retrospective database analyses reveal that, likely due to indirect vaccination benefits, increases in RV vaccination coverage have had an impact on lowering RGE, and AGE cases and healthcare utilization in older adults, a group at high-risk of severe outcomes for AGE.