Standardised three-virus testing panels and targeted vaccination strategies for high-risk adults with diabetes and chronic lung disease could reduce the load on Bahrain’s healthcare system during flu season, according to leading medical researchers.
This is among the key findings of ‘Burden and Outcomes of Viral Respiratory Infections Among Adults in Bahrain: A Retrospective Cohort Study’, recently published in the peer-reviewed Cureus academic medical journal.
“Viral respiratory infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality among adults, particularly those with chronic comorbidities,” researchers wrote in the abstract of the study.
“In Bahrain, most available evidence is derived from surveillance-based datasets that are limited by underreporting and incomplete clinical information.
“This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the burden, testing patterns, and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among hospitalised adults using detailed clinical data from a major tertiary hospital.”
The study was conducted on data from 943 patients at Salmaniya Medical Complex, who were admitted with acute respiratory illness, during the 2023-24 winter season.
Research was conducted by a team of 10 health officials led by Safa Alkhawaja and Rommel Acunin.
Of the 943 patients, only 66 per cent underwent viral testing for SARS-CoV-2, known for causing Covid-19, only 17.2pc were screened for influenza, and a mere 6pc tested for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
“Overall RSV and influenza testing were under-requested, and this affects positivity rates,” the researchers stated, noting that this selective approach makes it difficult for health officials to accurately estimate the true disease burden.
The study also identified specific groups at higher risk for severe outcomes.
Diabetes emerged as a significant independent predictor for Covid-19 infection. For influenza, the primary risk factors were chronic lung disease and bronchial asthma.
“Given that female gender and diabetes emerged as independent predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this cohort, targeted preventive strategies are warranted,” researchers added.
“For diabetic patients, enhanced vaccination uptake, early testing during respiratory illness, and prompt antiviral initiation may reduce the risk of severe outcomes.
“The higher positivity among women, likely reflecting occupational and exposure‑related factors rather than biological susceptibility, highlights the need for focused health education and improved access to testing for women working in caregiving, domestic, and service roles.”
While no deaths were recorded among the small sample of influenza patients in this study, the authors warned that international data consistently shows significant morbidity for these groups.
“None of the influenza-positive patients had received the annual influenza vaccine,” the study found, despite the fact that 70pc of those patients were aged 50 or older and eligible under Bahrain’s national immunisation schedule.
Additionally, the researchers observed that antiviral treatments like oseltamivir and remdesivir were underutilised, being administered to only a small fraction of confirmed cases.
To better prepare for seasonal surges that strain hospital capacity, researchers are calling for the implementation of routine ‘three-virus’ testing panels covering SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV, for all adults admitted with respiratory symptoms.
“Using standardised three-virus testing panels for adults with acute respiratory illness (ARI) could improve diagnosis, guide antiviral treatment, and strengthen national surveillance,” researchers added.
By combining improved testing with targeted vaccination outreach for expatriate workers and residents with chronic conditions, the authors believe Bahrain can significantly reduce the clinical and economic impact of seasonal outbreaks.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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