Clinical outcomes of chikungunya across age groups: A systematic review

Background Chikungunya, caused by a mosquito-borne alphavirus, has emerged as a major public health concern due to its expanding geographical range and debilitating health outcomes in affected populations. Although research on chikungunya is growing, variations in the clinical presentation between age groups remain poorly understood. Understanding these variations is crucial for appropriate diagnoses, treatments, and timely prevention efforts. Therefore, this study aims to assess the clinical presentation of chikungunya across age groups and identify age-related differences and similarities. Methodology/Principal findings We conducted a systematic literature review (17-09-2024) using Embase, MEDLINE, and gray literature, including a risk of bias assessment (Downs and Black, National Institute of Health). Results were descriptively presented. A total of 101 studies reported clinical outcomes in three age groups: children ( Conclusions/Significance Our findings highlight the age-related variations in chikungunya disease presentation, reinforcing the need for tailored diagnostics, clinical management, and prevention strategies in all age groups. By identifying these differences, our study helps guide future research and public health policies aimed at reducing the impact of chikungunya worldwide.