Effect of non-invasive ventilation on survival, quality of life, respiratory function and cognition: a review of the literature.
Symptoms of nocturnal hypoventilation may negatively influence the quality of life (QoL) of ALS patients long before respiratory failure ensues. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) is considered a treatment option for nocturnal hypoventilation. The primary objective of NIV is improving quality of life (QoL). It may also prolong life by several months. A systematic review of the literature was performed to analyse what is known of the effect of NIV on survival, QoL and other outcome measures. A computerized literature search was performed to identify controlled clinical trials and observational studies of treatment of ALS-associated nocturnal hypoventilation from 1985 until May 2005. Twelve studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Four studies were retrospective, seven prospective and in one study randomization was used. All studies reported beneficial effects of NIV on all outcome measures. In seven studies NIV was associated with prolonged survival in patients tolerant for NIV, and five studies reported an improved QoL. In conclusion, studies on the use of NIV in ALS differ in study design and endpoint definitions. All studies suggest a beneficial effect on QoL and other outcome measures (Evidence level Class II-III). Well-designed randomized controlled trials comparing the effect on QoL and survival have not been performed.
Piepers
Sanne
S
Department of Neurology, Rudolph Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. s.piepers-2@umcutrecht.nl
van den Berg
Jan-Paul
JP
Kalmijn
Sandra
S
van der Pol
W-Ludo
WL
Wokke
John H J
JH
Lindeman
Eline
E
van den Berg
Leonard H
LH
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D007040:Hypoventilation / Q000401:mortality* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015994:Incidence; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome