Factors related to quality of life in patients receiving home mechanical ventilation.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among patients receiving home mechanical ventilation (HMV).


METHODS
Observational, cross-sectional study. Patients receiving HMV were recruited from hospital outpatients facilities at five participating centers; a single follow-up visit was scheduled. The Spanish version of the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency (SRI) Questionnaire was used and the following variables were collected: socio-demographic status, previous medical history (Charlson-Age Comorbidity Index), current symptoms, administration of questionnaires, pulmonary function tests (PFT), current ventilatory support, and oxygen therapy.


RESULTS
One hundred and fifteen patients (57 males and 58 females, mean age 62+/-13 years) were investigated. The reasons for HMV were as follows: thoracic cage abnormalities (33 patients), obesity hypoventilation syndrome (37 patients), neuromuscular disorders (18 patients), sequelae of tuberculosis (12 patients), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (15 patients). In a bivariate approach, dyspnea, the number of hospitalizations, and the number of emergency room admissions in last year were the main predictors of each HRQOL dimension. Multivariate analysis showed that dyspnea, FEV(1)/FVC, and the number of hospitalizations in the previous year were independently associated with HRQOL.


CONCLUSIONS
HRQOL of patients receiving HMV is influenced by many factors, especially by dyspnea and the number of admissions. An obstructive pattern in the PFT also influences HRQOL. These findings may have therapeutic implications.
López-Campos
Jose Luis
JL
Unidad Médico-Quirúrgica de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain. lcampos@separ.es
Failde
Inmaculada
I
Masa
Juan F
JF
Benítez-Moya
Jose M
JM
Barrot
Emilia
E
Ayerbe
Ruth
R
León-Jiménez
Antonio
A
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome