Assessing chikungunya’s economic burden and impact on health-related quality of life: Two systematic literature reviews

Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted through Aedes mosquitoes, has witnessed a global surge in distribution and outbreaks, posing a significant public health threat. This study conducted two systematic literature reviews (SLRs) to examine the socio-economic burden associated with chikungunya. Methods: Two SLRs were conducted employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 (PRISMA 2020) standards. The SLRs covered electronic databases, grey literature, and bibliographic searches. Inclusion criteria were guided by the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes, Study type) framework. Findings: A total of 34 studies on cost and resource use and 37 studies on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were included. Direct costs, driven by hospitalization, consultations, diagnostics, and drugs, were frequently reported, with significant variability across studies. Indirect costs, mainly attributed to absenteeism, constituted a substantial portion of the total economic burden. HRQoL studies consistently revealed high pain levels and diminished physical functioning among chikungunya patients, particularly in chronic cases, where these impacts persisted for months to years. Conclusions: This study highlights the significant economic and public health impact of chikungunya, driven by high treatment costs, productivity losses, and chronic disability. Despite the severity of the disease, limited awareness regarding the severity and economic burden, particularly in resource-limited regions, persists. Our findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies, standardized management approaches, and increased research to better understand the socio-economic burden of the disease and inform effective interventions. Author summary: Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne illness that has rapidly spread across tropical and subtropical regions, presenting a substantial public health threat. The infection with the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes acute symptoms such as high fever and intense joint pain, but many patients suffer long-term effects, including chronic pain and disability, severely impacting their quality of life. Despite its socio-economic burden, chikungunya has received less attention than other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria. Our study highlights the financial strain on healthcare systems due to direct costs like hospitalizations, treatments, and medications, while indirect costs—primarily from lost productivity due to illness—further compound the economic impact. Furthermore, the chronic nature of chikungunya in many patients leads to lasting physical impairments and a profound reduction in quality of life, particularly in those suffering from chronic joint pain. By bringing attention to the substantial costs and quality of life reductions associated with chikungunya, our study calls for targeted strategies to reduce its socio-economic toll and improve outcomes for affected populations.