The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on people living with cystic fibrosis in Ireland: real-world data from the Irish cystic fibrosis registry

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on people living with cystic fibrosis (PWCF) in Ireland was investigated by comparing the utilisation of regular hospital facilities in 2020, with data collected in 2019. Methods: All data were collated by the Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland (CFRI). Comparisons were made between PWCF's access to regular hospital facilities utilised for the treatment and management of their condition prior to the outbreak of the pandemic in 2019, and preliminary data during the pandemic in 2020. A descriptive analysis of the differences between key outcome measure data was conducted. The outcome measures analysed were (i) the number and type of encounters, (ii) the number of virtual clinics, (iii) the number of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) carried out, (iv) the number of hospital admissions, and (v) the number of individuals receiving home intravenous antibiotic treatment. Results: In 2019, encounter data were recorded for 1,254 individuals, compared to 1,143 in 2020. Overall, fewer encounters took place in 2020 (5,346) than in 2019 (7,947). Decreases were observed across all in-person hospital encounter types in 2020, when compared with 2019 (annual review 273 vs 747;day-unit review 1,792 vs 2,864;drop-in 115 vs 277;OPD appointment 1,064 vs 3,289). However, since the outbreak of the pandemic, 1,696 virtual encounters occurred. Significantly, the number of PFTs carried out decreased by 58% in 2020 (2,283), when compared with 2019 (5,458). Of the 1,696 virtual encounters, only 183 (10.8%) saw PFTs carried out. Conclusion: Our analysis has shown a clear reduction in the utilisation of usually regular hospital resources by PWCF in 2020 when compared with 2019. In-person hospital encounters have decreased by 55% in total, highlighting the significant impact that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had on PWCF.