With the start of a new year, January not only welcomes in 2023 but also a new look Respiratory tracker. CREATION.co has identified the increasing attention towards Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and with eHCPs taking a front row seat to the Pharma race for an RSV vaccine, the respiratory tracker of 2023 will have a focus towards the developments in this therapy area. On-brand with this, the most active UK eHCP discussing respiratory diseases this month also posted the most about RSV – Dr Kate Cushing had a total of 38 respiratory disease posts, with 18 mentioning RSV. In total CREATION Pinpoint® identified 1,502 UK eHCPs discussing respiratory diseases in 2,799 posts.
Within the RSV conversation, eHCPs noted that the similar rates of hospitalisation and mortality between RSV and influenza in older adults suggests how important it is for a vaccine to be developed for the disease. Whilst another eHCP shared his opinion that as RSV immunisations get closer to implementation, there is a need for genomic data to assess effectiveness. A hefty proportion of the UK eHCP RSV conversation also mentioned COVID-19 (46%), with eHCPs sharing their frustration at the lack of public health measures in place to try and control the surge in influenza, RSV and COVID-19.
RSV is an important cause of infant hospitalisation, with vaccines likely to enter clinical use soon. Genomic surveillance is currently limited. We developed a genome amplification scheme that can drop into existing SARS-CoV-2 sequencing protocols https://t.co/aiy2uiCHoM
— Martin McHugh (@mchugh_martin) December 22, 2022
A theme that was identified throughout the month was a focus towards paediatric respiratory diseases, with many UK eHCPs referencing different factors which could predispose children to increased risk of respiratory diseases. This focus came following an increase in childhood group A streptococcal infections as well as growing levels of respiratory viral infections, including, but not limited to, RSV & influenza. This subject matter was extended by eHCPs disseminating research from 2015, which highlighted the different variables between households who experienced dissimilar levels of childhood respiratory infection rates.
My favourite study of "how often does a family with small children get a respiratory infection?" is this one, from the USA: https://t.co/fepEzs4A6Q
Children <5y have one of 16 common respiratory viruses detected in a nasal swab 50% of the year! pic.twitter.com/xvkTPXqyQc— Dr CJ Houldcroft 🕷️ (@DrCJ_Houldcroft) January 3, 2023
Additionally, UK eHCPs took to discussing more recent studies regarding childhood respiratory diseases. One study which garnered particular eHCP attention assessed the relationship between gas stoves and childhood asthma cases, a study which Digital Opinion Leader Ash Paul also shared. This was not the only latest research to be shared amongst eHCPs this month as many also discussed evidence for early interventions to reduce childhood respiratory diseases, as well as current findings regarding smoking exposure in early life contributing to lung cancer incidence and mortality in adulthood.
Researchers just found that gas stoves are responsible for 12.7% of childhood asthma cases.
Recently I read dozens of studies about gas stoves and indoor air quality.
I also installed monitors in our home and ran my own tests.
Here's what I learned.
— Michael Thomas (@curious_founder) January 9, 2023
COVID-19 was mentioned 534 times this month with eHCPs highlighting the increased rates amongst the UK population. eHCPs implored the public to take precautionary measures to ensure the disease would not spread, including wearing masks and avoiding crowded places. Much of this was accepted and encouraged amongst eHCPs, however, some did disagree with GP Renée Hoenderkamp stating she was “horrified” at the reintroduction of restrictions for flu and other respiratory illness. On the other hand, eHCPs shared the increased rates of COVID-19 and linked them to Hospital-acquired COVID-19 in England.
Bottom line: covid rates are sky-high. Nasty flu is also circulating. Hundreds are dying every week of preventable respiratory infections. Hospitals are full. Primary care is collapsing. It could be you or your relative on that 30-hour trolly wait. So WEAR A MASK!
15/end— Trisha Greenhalgh (@trishgreenhalgh) January 4, 2023
Each month, we track the HCP conversation relating to respiratory disease.
You can keep up to date with this and other pharmaceutical tracking updates, including COVID-19 developments, within the Tracking section of CREATION Knowledge, or sign up to receive our monthly eJournal with all of our latest HCP insights.
If you would like to dig deeper into what we have seen this month then please do get in touch.
Methodology
- This article analysed the Twitter conversations of HCPs in the UK discussing respiratory disease and related terms between 21 December 2022 and 20 January 2023 using CREATION Pinpoint®.
- Between 21 December 2022 and 20 January 2023, there were 2,779 UK HCP mentions of respiratory disease and related terms, from 1,502 unique UK HCP authors.
Click here to read the latest Respiratory Tracker