Open AccessImpact of home mechanical ventilation on health‐related quality of life in patients with chronic alveolar hypoventilation: a prospective study
Author(s) -
Dellborg Catharina,
Olofson Jan,
Midgren Bengt,
Caro Oscar,
Bergman Bengt,
Skoogh BengtEric,
Sullivan Marianne
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the clinical respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.789
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1752-699X
pISSN - 1752-6981
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-699x.2007.00034.x
Subject(s) - medicine , copd , spirometry , quality of life (healthcare) , prospective cohort study , obesity hypoventilation syndrome , hypoventilation , ventilation (architecture) , physical therapy , anesthesia , asthma , respiratory system , obstructive sleep apnea , mechanical engineering , nursing , engineering
Background: Nocturnal ventilatory support by nasal positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is an established treatment method in patients with chronic alveolar hypoventilation (CAH). The knowledge about its long‐term effects on health‐related quality of life (HRQL) is limited. Methods: In a prospective, longitudinal, single‐strand study, patients with CAH caused by non‐COPD conditions, consecutively recruited among referral patients in three Swedish university hospital pulmonary departments, were examined at baseline and after 9 months ( n = 35) and 8 years ( n = 11) on NPPV treatment. Both volume pre‐set and pressure pre‐set ventilators were used. Patients completed a battery of condition‐specific and generic HRQL questionnaires at baseline and follow‐up. Spirometry and blood gases were measured. Compliance with treatment, side effects and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Results: After 9 months of NPPV, improvements were seen primarily not only in sleep‐related domains, but also in emotional behaviour, ambulation and sleep/rest functioning as measured with the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP). Improvements in sleep‐related symptoms were related to effectiveness in ventilation, evaluated by morning PaCO 2 , and remained by 8 years. Mental well‐being was stable over time, while emotional distress improved by 8 years. Satisfaction with treatment was high in spite of frequent side effects. Conclusion: NPPV improves HRQL, particularly in condition‐specific areas. Improvements are related to effectiveness in ventilation. Side effects are common, but compliance is good and patient satisfaction is high. Please cite this paper as: Dellborg C, Olofson J, Midgren B, Caro O, Bergman B, Skoogh B‐E and Sullivan M. Impact of home mechanical ventilation on health‐related quality of life in patients with chronic alveolar hypoventilation: a prospective study. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 26–35.