Impact of Telehealth Visits on Outcomes among Black and Latinx Patients with Moderate-Severe Asthma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Black and Latinx patients bear a disproportionate burden of asthma-related morbidity partly due to inadequate healthcare access. Telehealth could improve access, but its impact on asthma outcomes compared to in-person visits in these populations is unknown. Method(s) Black and Latinx adults with moderate-severe asthma were recruited from US clinics, including Puerto Rico for the PREPARE trial. For this ancillary study, 7/19 sites had available EMR data on asthma care appointment setting (telehealth vs. in-person). Participants whose asthma care included telehealth (TH) vs. those with exclusively in-person visits (IP) starting at COVID-19 pandemic onset (3/2020, greater telehealth prevalence) through 4/2021 (last PREPARE exit) were included if 2+ monthly PREPARE surveys were available for the post-index visit period. Asthma control (ACT) and asthma-related quality of life (ASUI) were compared between TH vs. IP. Result(s) Data were available for n=62 TH and n=36 IP participants, with comparable duration of follow-up (6.36 vs. 6.42 months, respectively). TH were more likely Latinx, from the Northeast, employed, only use inhaled corticosteroids as controller therapy, lower BMI, and lower self-reported asthma therapy adherence compared to IP. Before and after adjustment for these baseline differences and for PREPARE treatment assignment and baseline ACT and ASUI scores, TH and IP had comparable follow-up asthma control (ACT 18.43 vs. 18.93, respectively, p=0.519) and asthma-related quality of life (ASUI 0.79 vs. 0.84, respectively, p=0.163). Conclusion(s) Asthma control and asthma-related quality of life were comparable between TH and IP after adjustment. TH may represent a valuable asthma care option for Black and Latinx patients. Copyright © 2022