[Quality of life in home ventilation].
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study is to assess quality of life in patients with chronic respiratory failure who require home mechanical ventilation (HMV).


METHODS
Patients with COPD (n = 20), scoliosis (n = 20), neuromuscular diseases (n = 20) and others (n = 7) were examined. A specific questionnaire containing forms for the patient, the physician and for the relatives was developed according to the formulation of the question (Fragebogen zur chronischen Heimbeatmung = FCH, Interview zur chronischen Heimbeatmung = ICH). In addition to that the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire were used. Arterial blood gas tensions, pulmonary function and inspiratory mouth occlusion pressure were studied.


RESULTS
Quality of life in patients with scoliosis and neuromuscular diseases is improved during HMV compared to patients with COPD who especially are impaired with regard to psychological and functional conditions. Correlations with physiological parameters and with the compliance could not be observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite progression of the disease HMV enhances quality of life in patients with scoliosis and neuromuscular diseases. The outcome in COPD is less evident. Therefore the indication must be considered more critically.
Windisch
W
W
Ev. Krankenhaus Göttingen-Weende e. V. Abteilung Beatmungsmedizin/Schlaflabor-Lenglern, Universität Göttingen.
Petermann
F
F
Laier-Groeneveld
G
G
Fischer
S
S
Criée
C P
CP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007385:Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation / Q000523:psychology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010100:Oxygen
Lebensqualität bei Heimbeatmung.