Clinical outcomes of digital health in adults with cystic fibrosis

• Published in: Respiratory medicine 2022-10, Vol.202, p.106970-106970, Article 106970
• Main Authors: Carnovale, Vincenzo, Iacotucci, Paola, Qiao, Dandi, Ferrillo, Lorenza, Somma, Jolanda, Buonaurio, Serena, Marcella d’Ippolito, Celardo, Assunta, Savi, Daniela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cystic fibrosis; Digital health; Longer-term telehealth benefits; Virtual monitoring
• ISSN: 0954-6111; 1532-3064
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2022.106970

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 patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Digital care group (DCG) were deemed suitable for using the NuvoAir Home platform to monitor their disease at home as part of a virtual model of care project. The usual care group (UCG) remained on usual care. NuvoAir Home platform consists of a smartphone application, Bluetooth spirometer and a clinician portal. Data on pulmonary function, Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire–Revised (CFQR) and pulmonary exacerbations were collected at baseline and after twelve months. A survey for the digital care group was emailed to evaluate their experience using the technology. Between February 2020 and May 2020 a cohort of 43 CF patients were recruited for the DCG (26 females; mean age 31.6 ± 6.8; 16 homozygous for delta F508; FEV1 48.4 ± 16.3% predicted) and 36 CF patients for UCG (18 females; mean age 29.1 ± 9.4; 6 homozygous for delta F508; FEV1 77.0 ± 25.0% predicted). CFQ-R score improved significantly through 12 months in the DCG with a mean change of 13.8 points, p