A real-world study on hospital and economic burden of dengue fever in French overseas territories.

INTRODUCTION

Dengue incidence significantly increased in recent years, representing a public health threat in French overseas territories. Real-world data on its burden is lacking by territory/age groups.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the hospital burden and associated costs of dengue in French overseas territories.

METHODS

Using the French national hospital database (PMSI), dengue hospitalizations in Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana (FG), and La Réunion were identified over 2017-2024. Hospitalization rates per 100,000 all-cause hospitalizations were calculated overall and during epidemic periods (EPs). Within EPs, patients and stays characteristics and costs were reported. Analyses were conducted by age groups/territories.

RESULTS

Over 2017-2024, 8399 patients were hospitalized, 95.7% during EPs. Hospitalization rates were 2.6 times higher during EPs than overall and were the highest in patients aged 5-19. Hospitalizations mostly involved women and mean age ranged from 28.2 (FG) to 51.3 (La Réunion) years. Mean hospitalization duration ranged from 3.4 (FG) to 5.1 (La Réunion) days, and admissions via emergency room were most frequent in La Réunion (91.8%). Median (Q1-Q3) cost per hospitalization ranged from €1403 (€846-€2876) (FG) to €3385 (€989- €7119) (La Réunion).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the substantial dengue hospital burden, particularly in 5-19-year-old, with variations across French overseas territories. Preventive strategies, including vaccination could reduce this burden.