ABSTRACT
Introduction: Lung Ultrasound (LUS) can track interstitial changes of COVID-19 pneumonia (CP) in the acute phase. CT has been used to evaluate the development of lung fibrosis post CP but its use is associated with increased ionising radiation. Aims and Objectives: We conducted a prospective single-centre pilot to assess the utility and feasibility of using serial LUS in adult patients recovering from CP. We hypothesize that LUS may provide a safe and acceptable alternative to CT imaging for the outpatient follow-up of these patients. Method(s): 21 subjects provided consent on the day of hospital discharge (D0) and were followed up for 83 days. High-resolution CT was performed on Day 83 and correlated with LUS on Days 0/41/83. Serum Ferritin, LDH, CRP, D-Dimer (Days 0/41/83), Spirometry (Day 41/83) and Quality of Life measures (EQ-5D Day 41/83) were obtained. 3 clinicians reviewed and scored the LUS images independently;CT scoring was performed by 2 thoracic radiologists blinded to the LUS findings. Result(s): 19 subjects completed the study (10 males [52%];mean age: 52 years [range:37-74]). LUS scores were significantly lower at Days 83 and 41 compared to Day 0 (Mean = 1.5 [D83] / 2.8 [D41] / 10.9 [D0] p<0.0001). Ground glass change was the most common finding on CT at Day 83. Correlation between LUS with HRCT at Day 83 was weak (Pearson r2=0.44). However a better correlation was observed in % change of LUS scores and KCO at Day 84 compared to Day 42 (r2=0.64). Conclusion(s): LUS may be a useful point of care tool for the assessment of patients recently recovered from CP. However its role in the evaluation of post CP lung fibrosis requires further study.
ABSTRACT
Introduction/Aim: To determine (1) the influenza vaccine uptake of children with cystic fibrosis from 2016 to 2020 and (2) the impact of the COVID pandemic of 2020 and increased uptake of Telehealth outpatient appointments on vaccination rates. Methods: A retrospective audit of children with cystic fibrosis aged 6 months to 18 years who reside in South Australia was performed using the Women's and Children's Respiratory Department cystic fibrosis database from 2016 to 2020. The Australian Childhood Immunization Record (ACIR) was used to determine vaccination status during this period. Results: One hundred eighty-two children with cystic fibrosis were identified, 172 of whom vaccination records were available on the ACIR. Proportion of eligible patients who were vaccinated ranged from 66% to 88% over the 5 year period. There was nil significant decrease in uptake during the COVID pandemic in 2020 (75%). Despite the introduction of Telehealth reviews in 2020 majority (66%) of patients continued to have exclusive face-to-face appointments, of which 73% received the vaccination. Vaccination coverage of those who received combination of Telehealth and faceto- face was 81%. Conclusion: The high influenza vaccination rate of South Australian children with cystic fibrosis is consistent with rates seen in other tertiary centres globally. This audit demonstrated that the COVID pandemic and introduction of Telehealth appointments did not have any measurable uptake of the influenza vaccination our South Australian population.