Decreases in Rhinology Care Utilization by People with Cystic Fibrosis on Highly Effective Modulator Therapy

Many people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) have chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). CRS requires additional management beyond that of pulmonary disease and leads to increased utilization of healthcare resources. Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) is a highly effective modulator therapy that has been shown to improve CRS in PwCF. However, the impact of ETI on rhinologic healthcare utilization is understudied.

To compare rates of rhinologic healthcare utilization and procedures among PwCF prior to and after initiating ETI therapy.

A single-center, cohort study investigating adult PwCF was performed in January 2023. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and data related to CF treatment were retrospectively abstracted. Characteristics of the cohort were compared over 2 periods: the 12-months prior to ETI initiation and the 12-months after ETI initiation. Post-ETI data were linearly extrapolated if a subject had not yet completed the full 12 months of ETI. Paired t-testing, Wilcoxon signed rank testing, and regression analysis were performed.

Of 126 PwCF, 98 (77.8%) were on ETI therapy and 35 (27.7%) were both on ETI and concurrently followed by the rhinology service (ETI-ENT). Rhinology clinic visits (P = .007) and frequency of obtaining nasal cultures (P = .046) decreased for the ETI-ENT cohort after initiating ETI treatment. There were no significant changes in the number of endoscopic sinus surgeries (P = .452) performed. Beyond ETI use, regression analysis did not identify any factors associated with changes in utilization.

Aspects of rhinology healthcare utilization by PwCF decreased after initiation of ETI therapy. Additional studies are needed to determine rhinologic healthcare requirements for PwCF who remain on ETI for the long-term and to evaluate larger cohorts of PwCF on ETI.