Abstract
Background
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is uncommon, life-threatening, with many diverse sequelae. The aims were to: 1) comprehensively characterise the sequelae; 2) have a systematic application for sequelae impact in economic evaluation (EE).
Methods
Sequelae categorised as physical/neurological or psychological/behavioural were identified from a systematic review of IMD observational studies (OS) and EEs in high-income countries (published 2001–2020). A comprehensive map and EE-relevant list, respectively, included physical/neurological sequelae reported in ≥2OS and ≥ 2OS + 2EE (≥1OS and ≥ 1OS + 1EE for psychological/behavioural). Sequelae proportions were selected from the highest quality studies reporting most sequelae. Three medical experts independently evaluated the clinical impact of findings.
Results
Sixty-Six OS and 34 EE reported IMD sequelae. The comprehensive map included 44 sequelae (30 physical/neurological, 14 psychological/behavioural), of which 18 (14 physical/neurological and 4 psychological/behavioural) were EE-relevant. Experts validated the study and identified gaps due to limited evidence, underreporting of psychological/behavioural sequelae in survivors/their families, and occurrence of multiple sequelae in the acute phase and long-term.
Conclusions
The considerable burden of IMD sequelae on survivors and their families is potentially underestimated in EE, due to underreporting and poorly-defined subtle sequelae. When assessing IMD burden and potential interventions e.g., vaccination, sequelae range and duration, underreporting, and indirect burden on dependents should be considered.
Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13342-2.
Invasive meningococcal disease survivors frequently suffer from variable sequelae.
A broad sequelae map plus those relevant to economic evaluation (EE) were defined.
Forty-four sequelae were selected: 30 physical/neurological and 14 psychological/behavioural.
Eighteen EE-relevant sequelae included 14 physical/neurological and 4 psychological/behavioural
Underreporting, family impact and multiple sequelae cases were critical gaps.
A video summary linked to this article can be found on Figshare: 10.6084/m9.figshare.19753840.
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