Feasibility of an innovative follow-up method alternating face-to-face consultations and teleconsultations for adult patients with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) treated with elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) for at least one year.

BACKGROUND

The 2020 pandemic highlighted that teleconsultation, thanks to the contribution of connected spirometry, could be a relevant tool for monitoring people with CF (pwCF). Currently, the clinical improvement and stability of pwCF treated with ETI make this monitoring method even more attractive. We evaluate the feasibility and changes in patient satisfaction and clinical status with a follow-up format alternating face-to-face consultations and teleconsultations for clinically stable adult pwCF treated with ETI for more than one year.

METHODS

This was a prospective before-and-after study, the included patients were monitored every 3 months during the year of follow-up, alternating between face-to-face consultations and teleconsultations. Changes in patient satisfaction, clinical status, quality of life and number of requests to the CF center were evaluated.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients completed the follow-up period (out of the 50 included patients). The demographics of the cohort were as follows: male‒female ratio of 2:1, mean age at inclusion was 32 (8.7) years, mean FEV1% of 79% (18.5), mean BMI of 22.4Kg/m2 (2.6) and 80% presenting with chronic Pseudomonas bronchial colonization. 78% of teleconsultations were carried out without problems and only 4% had to be postponed due to technical problems. We reported no statistically significant differences in patient satisfaction, respiratory and nutritional status, or quality of life before and after this new strategy of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Alternating follow-up was feasible and satisfactory for adult pwCF treated with ETI. If, larger studies are necessary, hybrid monitoring may play a key role in the management of cystic fibrosis in the years to come.