(136) Long-term clinical impact using a virtual model of care in Cystic Fibrosis

Background: The opportunity provided by digital technologies for managing chronic respiratory diseases remotely has been explored and tested by health professionals during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Further investigations into whether these new approaches to care delivery provide an opportunity to improve Cystic Fibrosis (CF) management are required. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term clinical impact of the application of e-health as part of a virtual model of care in CF.

Methods: NuvoAir Home platform consists of a smartphone application, Bluetooth spirometer and a clinician portal. Patients were trained to use the platform and asked to do home spirometry monthly. Data on pulmonary function and pulmonary exacerbations were collected at baseline and after twelve months. A survey was emailed to evaluate patients’ experience using the technology.

Results: A cohort of 43 CF patients were recruited (26 females; mean age 31.6±6.8; 16 homozygous for delta F508; FEV₁ 48.4±16.3 % predicted). Sustained improvement in FEV1 both expressed as absolute and percentage of predicted value was seen through 12 months (mean change 100 ml, p < 0.02 and 3.8% p < 0.005, respectively). We found significant improvement in FVC both expressed as absolute value with mean change of 230 ml (p < 0.006) and expressed as percentage of predicted with mean change 6.2 % p< 0.002. The average of number of exacerbations per person was 0.84 1-year before vs 0.09 1-year after the use of digital technology, p < 0.0001. 90% of patients reported they understood their CF better since starting the virtual care service. No changes in medical treatment were reported during that time.

Conclusions: The application of digital technologies in the management of adults with CF showed an improvement in lung function and pulmonary exacerbations. Using a virtual model of care was well accepted by CF patients and improved their understanding of their medical condition.

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