EPS8.10 Physiotherapy treatments used during pulmonary exacerbations requiring intensive therapy in Australia data from the BEAT cystic fibrosis platform

Objectives: BEAT CF (Bayesian Evidence Adaptive Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis) is a study platform implemented in Australian cystic fibrosis centres. The BEAT CF core protocol aims to identify the comparative effectiveness of interventions (e.g., intravenous antibiotics) routinely used in the management of pulmonary exacerbations requiring intensive therapy (PERIT) in children and adults with CF, with respect to improvements in lung function, safety and quality of life outcomes. The core protocol includes the collection of physiotherapy data during each PERIT, and airway clearance technique (ACT) data are described here from each PERIT episode captured up until November 3 2022. Methods: Physiotherapy data during PERITs were reported by BEAT CF site coordinators and physiotherapists. The type of ACT used, whether supervised and if performed in combination with inhaled therapy, was recorded and prospectively entered into an electronic data management system. Results: Seven paediatric and three adult CF centres provided data for 247 PERIT episodes. Data were included for 142 children (69 [49%] female, mean [SD] age 11[5] years, ppFEV185[18] %) and 29 adults (16 [55%] female, age 33[14] years, ppFEV1 59[21] %). In children, the most commonly used ACTs during PERIT episodes at these centres were PEP (67%) and exercise (48%), with 87% of all ACT sessions supervised and 58% performed in combination with inhaled therapy. In adults, the most commonly used ACTs during PERIT episodes at these centres were ACBT (59%) and PEP (48%), with 93% of all ACT sessions supervised and 64% performed in combination with inhaled therapy. Conclusion: The BEAT CF platform has facilitated the standardised collection of prospective, real-world physiotherapy treatment data during PERIT episodes in Australia, providing a basis for evaluating the comparative effectiveness of alternative ACTs over time and via future nested randomised trials.