Hospitalizations and outpatient visits for rhinovirus-associated acute respiratory illness in adults.

BACKGROUND

Rhinovirus is linked to asthma exacerbations and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations in adults. The severity and rates of rhinovirus acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) in adults are uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine rhinovirus-associated ARI rates in adults presenting for care in multiple settings and identify factors associated with rhinovirus detection.

METHODS

This prospective, population-based cohort enrolled Tennessee residents 18 years or older in the emergency department (ED), outpatient clinics, or hospitalized for ARI from December 2008 to May 2010. Nasal/throat swabs were collected and tested for rhinovirus and other viruses by using RT-PCR. Rates of ED visits and hospitalizations were calculated and rhinovirus-positive and rhinovirus-negative patients were compared.

RESULTS

Among 2351 enrollees, rhinovirus was detected in 247 (11%). There were 7 rhinovirus-associated ED visits and 3 hospitalizations per 1000 adults annually. Patients with rhinovirus, compared with virus-negative ARI, were more likely to present with wheezing (odds ratio [OR], 1.7; 95% CI, 1.23-2.35; P < .001), to be a current smoker (OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.68-3.19) or live with a smoker (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.10-2.67), have a history of chronic respiratory disease (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.17-2.22), and were less likely to be hospitalized versus seen in the outpatient setting (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.41-0.83).

CONCLUSIONS

Rhinovirus is associated with a substantial number of ED visits and hospitalizations for ARIs in adults. There may be modifiable factors that can reduce the likelihood of presenting with rhinovirus-associated ARIs.