Approaching the Non Invasive Ventilation (NIV) in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at home: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Respiratory failure is one of the most common causes of death in ALS patients. Treatment of ALS patients with NIV when FVC Aims and objectives: In ALS patients we evaluated if domiciliary initiation (HP) to NIV is effective as outpatient initiation (OP) in terms of arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function test and quality of life. Methods: Patients were randomized in two groups (HP vs OP). Diurnal adaptation, advice to use nocturnal NIV until adaptation ( Results: Forty-one patients (18 males) participated to the study being similar in terms of ALS score, age, body mass index. After the initiation EtCO2, SpO2, PaCO2 were improved in both groups. Respiratory functions, symptoms and sleep quality were similar between groups. Quality of life was not significantly different between groups (p=.528). However, caregiver’s burden was significantly improved in the HP group (p=.002). Conclusions: HP initiation to NIV in ALS is as effective as OP initiation.