Managing Cystic Fibrosis related diabetes via telehealth during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. In efforts to reduce the risk of transmission, telehealth visits for routine care has significantly increased in the United States. Cystic fibrosis patients have been categorized as a highly vulnerable population to COVID-19 infection. Cystic Fibrosis centers are rapidly assessing and responding to the pandemic to ensure the safety of CF patients. At our Cleveland Clinic Cystic Fibrosis center, we transitioned outpatient clinics to a virtual care model in March 2020. Here, we report the changes that were implemented to optimize diabetes management in CF patients through telehealth during the COVID-19 crisis.

Factors for severe outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with cystic fibrosis in Europe

“…Indeed, CFRD prevalence increases with age and could be considered as a proxy for advanced CF (creating the same potential bias as azithromycin, discussed above). Nonetheless, good control of CFRD is essential for overall health, and telehealth clinics can help pwCF and CFRD to maintain good glycaemic control during the pandemic [36].…”

COVID-19 outcomes in people with cystic fibrosis

“…For example, the COVID-19 represented a unique opportunity to boost telemedicine programs. New development included the implementation of novel systems for performing largescale remote consultation with home spirometry [12,35,36], home collection of airway secretion samples for microbiology [10] and home management of diabetes based on teleconsultations [37]. There is little doubt that the experience gained during the pandemic will contribute to durable change in the CF healthcare model, although much work remains to be performed in integrating home monitoring in routine CF care.…”

Impact of COVID-19 on mental health: Effects on screening, care delivery, and people with cystic fibrosis (Commentary)

“…Worldwide the pandemic has caused this acceleration of new techniques for health care delivery: telehealth, video conferencing, online screening, long distance electronic monitoring and so forth. This has presented an opportunity for novel approaches to improve delivery of CF care with remote monitoring and real-time delivery of care in patients’ home environments [5] , [6] , [7] . Smith et al report on barriers perceived by CF teams, which were either ‘telehealth related’: access for providers, electronic screening methods; or ‘provider related’: lack of training or licensing, reimbursement or insurance issues.…”