An epidemiological study of respiratory syncytial virus associated hospitalizations in Denmark.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common viral pathogen that causes lower respiratory tract infections in infants. Studies have implicated severe RSV infections early in life as a risk factor for subsequent development of reactive airway disease. We are conducting a study to validate RSV-associated diagnoses in the Danish National Patient Registry, to assess whether the incidence of severe RSV infection is increasing in Denmark, to identify predisposing and protective factors for RSV-associated hospitalization in Denmark, and to examine the association of severe RSV infection with reactive airway disease. The influence of various biological, social and environmental factors on hospitalization for RSV infection will be studied through several population-based registers, including the Danish National Birth Cohort: 'Better health for mothers and children'. The RSV hospitalization cases will be compared with control individuals selected within the same population groups on a case-control or a cohort basis in order to produce estimates of age-adjusted and sex-adjusted relative risks (odds ratio and relative risk) for hospitalization associated with various risk factors. Using register linkage and unique registration of exposures collected through interviews and blood samples from the Danish National Birth Cohort, we will be able to resolve the issues referred to above in a very large sample of Danish children.
Department of Epidemiology Research, Danish Epidemiology Science Centre, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark. lgn@ssi.dk
Lone Graff
LG
Stensballe
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000821:virology; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D009313:National Health Programs; D012042:Registries; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors