Comparison of FEV on a remote spirometry device with hospital software in an adult cystic fibrosis cohort

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The use of digital technology for remote monitoring has increased within CF care in recent years, including the use of remote spirometry. The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic have also meant that delivery of CF care virtually has been required. The NuvoAir platform allows for remote lung function monitoring and is validated for spirometry, however there is no real-world data comparing results to hospital spirometry within an adult CF cohort. FEV1 is an established marker of disease progression within CF. Accurate spirometry results are therefore key in guiding appropriate decision-making. Repeatability of FEV1 and FVC is defined as results being within 150 mls of each other. Methods: FEV1 (L) completed by CF patients at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, on the same day on the NuvoAir Air Next spirometer and SentrySuite Vyaire Medical software, were recorded. Spirometry was completed at either an outpatient review, MDT clinic or during admission. Results were collected between August 2020 and December 2021. Results: A total of 46 sets of results were recorded. The mean difference between FEV1 (L) on the 2 devices was 0.035L (1.6%). The correlation between the FEV1 (L) on the NuvoAir Air Next and SentrySuite was statistically significant (p = 0, r = 0.97). The number of FEV1 results that varied by more than 150mls between devices was 22/46 (47.8%). Conclusion: FEV1 results from the 2 devices showed a statistically significant correlation and a small mean difference. However, as almost half of the sets of results varied by more than is acceptable for determining repeatability, the 2 devices cannot consistently be perceived to be comparable in clinic practice. Further data collection is needed to review the sensitivity to change on the NuvoAir Air Next device compared with hospital spirometry software within a CF cohort.