RESUMO
This study aimed to assess the main clinical and anamnestic characteristics of adult Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients and to evaluate the association of frailty with the CF genotyping classification. In an observational cross-sectional study, all ambulatory CF patients over 18 years old who received a diagnosis at the Regional Cystic Fibrosis Center for adults were enrolled and assessed by spirometry for respiratory function, by ADL and IADL for functional status, and by the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF) Index for frailty. The study population consisted of 139 CF patients (mean age 32.89 ± 10.94 years old, 46% women). Most of the subjects were robust (60.4%). The pre-frail/frail group was more frequently females (p = 0.020), had a lower BMI (p = 0.001), worse respiratory function, a higher number of pulmonary exacerbations/years, cycles of antibiotic therapy, and hospitalization (all p < 0.001) with respect to robust patients. The pre-frail/frail subjects used more drugs and were affected by more CF-related diseases (all p < 0.001). In relation to logistic regression, the best predictor of the pre-frail/frail status was a low FEV1 level. The CF patients show similarities to older pre-frail/frail subjects, suggesting that CF might be considered an early expression of this geriatric syndrome. This finding could help to better define the possible progression of CF, but overall, it could also suggest the usefulness employing of some tools used in the management and therapy of frailty subjects to identify the more severe CF subjects.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: 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). METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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 < 0.0001, and no changes for the UCG (p = 0.73). When we analyzed the subgroup of CF patients on digital and usual care who did not receive CFTR modulator therapy, we found a change in CFQ-R score which was significantly associated with the use of digital technology while adjusting for baseline differences (p = 0.020). There was no significant difference in the change in lung function and number of exacerbations. 90% of patients reported they understood their CF better using the NuvoAir Home platform. No changes in medical treatment were reported during that time. CONCLUSIONS: The application of digital technologies in the management of adults with CF showed an improvement in patients' quality of life. Using a virtual model of care was well accepted by CF patients and improved their understanding of their medical condition.
