Why does the provision of home mechanical ventilation vary so widely?

There is wide variation in the provision of home mechanical ventilation (HMV) throughout Europe, but the provision of home mechanical ventilation can also vary within countries. In 2008, the overall prevalence of HMV in Norway was 19.9/100,000, and there were huge regional differences in treatment prevalence. The aim of this study is to find explanations for these differences. We gathered multidisciplinary respondents involved in HMV treatment from five hospitals in five different counties to six focus group conversations to explore respondents' views of their experiences systematically. We based the analysis on grounded theory. We found that uneven distribution of “enthusiasm” between hospitals seems to be an important factor in the geographical distribution of HMV. Furthermore, we found that the three subcategories, “high competence,” “spreading competence,” and “multidisciplinary collaboration,” are developed and used systematically in counties with “enthusiasm.” This culture is the main category, which might explain the differences, and is described as “wise enthusiasm.” The last subcategory is “individual attitudes” about HMV among decision-making physicians. The most important factor is most likely the uneven distribution of highly skilled enthusiasm between hospitals. Individual attitudes about HMV among the decision makers may also explain why the provision of HMV varies so widely. Data describing regional differences in the prevalence of HMV within countries is lacking. Further research is needed to identify these differences to ensure equality of provision of HMV

Currents issues in cardiorespiratory care of patients with post-polio syndrome

ABSTRACT Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus. Most often, polio survivors experience a gradual new weakening in muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection. The actual incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in individuals suffering from PPS is not known. However, there is a reason to suspect that individuals with PPS might be at increased risk. Method A search for papers was made in the databases Bireme, Scielo and Pubmed with the following keywords: post polio syndrome, cardiorespiratory and rehabilitation in English, French and Spanish languages. Although we targeted only seek current studies on the topic in question, only the relevant (double-blind, randomized-controlled and consensus articles) were considered. Results and Discussion Certain features of PPS such as generalized fatigue, generalized and specific muscle weakness, joint and/or muscle pain may result in physical inactivity deconditioning obesity and dyslipidemia. Respiratory difficulties are common and may result in hypoxemia. Conclusion Only when evaluated and treated promptly, somE patients can obtain the full benefits of the use of respiratory muscles aids as far as quality of life is concerned

Aumento da sobrevida com ventilação mecânica em doentes com insuficiência respiratória e deformidade da parede torácica pós-tuberculose

Resumo: Doentes com passado de tuberculose que apresentam sequelas do parênquima pulmonar e deformidade da parede torácica têm um risco acrescido para insuficiência respiratória com hipoxemia e hipercápnia.Justifica-se nestes casos a terapêutica combinada com oxigénio e ventilação mecânica não invasiva.Este estudo teve como objectivo avaliar a opção terapêuticacom melhor taxa de sobrevida em doentes com deformidade da parede torácica pós-tuberculose e insuficiência respiratória.Foram incluídos 188 doentes entre 1996 e 2004, seguidos prospectivamente até Outubro 2006, sendo a mortalidade a principal variável. Destes, 103 iniciaram apenas oxigenoterapia de longa duração e a 85 foi prescrito ventilação, dos quais 15 casos receberam também terapêutica com O2. A vasta maioria fez ventilação não invasiva e apenas 2 casos receberam ventilação pela traqueostomia..A análise dos resultados mostrou uma melhoria estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,001) da sobrevida nos doentes submetidos a ventilação comparativamente com os que efectuaram apenas oxigénio.Os autores concluíram que nos casos de insuficiência respiratória combinada com deformidade da parede torácica por sequelas de tuberculose a sobrevida é significativamente superior nos casos tratados com ventilação domiciliária comparativamente com a oxigenoterapia isolada e recomendam a ventilação não invasiva com ou sem oxigénio como terapêutica de primeira escolha nestes doentes

Aumento da sobrevida com ventilação mecânica em doentes com insuficiência respiratória e deformidade da parede torácica pós-tuberculose Increased survival with mechanical ventilation in posttuberculosis patients with combination of respiratory failure and chest wall deformity

Doentes com passado de tuberculose que apresentam sequelas do parênquima pulmonar e deformidade da parede torácica têm um risco acrescido para insuficiência respiratória com hipoxemia e hipercápnia. Justifica-se nestes casos a terapêutica combinada com oxigénio e ventilação mecânica não invasiva. Este estudo teve como objectivo avaliar a opção terapêutica com melhor taxa de sobrevida em doentes com deformidade da parede torácica pós-tuberculose e insuficiência respiratória. Foram incluídos 188 doentes entre 1996 e 2004, seguidos prospectivamente até Outubro 2006, sendo a mortalidade a principal variável. Destes, 103 iniciaram apenas oxigenoterapia de longa duração e a 85 foi prescrito ventilação, dos quais 15 casos receberam também terapêutica com O2. A vasta maioria fez ventilação não invasiva e apenas 2 casos receberam ventilação pela traqueostomia.. A análise dos resultados mostrou uma melhoria estatisticamente significativa (p<0,001) da sobrevida nos doentes submetidos a ventilação comparativamente com os que efectuaram apenas oxigénio. Os autores concluíram que nos casos de insuficiência respiratória combinada com deformidade da parede torácica por sequelas de tuberculose a sobrevida é significativamente superior nos casos tratados com ventilação domiciliária comparativamente com a oxigenoterapia isolada e recomendam a ventilação não invasiva com ou sem oxigénio como terapêutica de primeira escolha nestes doentes

A nationwide structure for valid long-term oxygen therapy: 29-year prospective data in Sweden

Magnus Ekstr&ouml;m,1,2 Zainab Ahmadi,1 Hillevi Larsson,1 Tove Nilsson,2 Josefin Wahlberg,2 Kerstin E Str&ouml;m,1 Bengt Midgren1 1Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Respiratory Medicine &amp; Allergology, Lund University, Lund, 2Department of Medicine, Blekinge Hospital, Karlskrona, Sweden Background: Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) improves prognosis in COPD with severe hypoxemia. However, adherence to criteria for eligibility and quality of LTOT is often insufficient and varies between countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate a national structure for prescription and management of LTOT over three decades in Sweden.Methods: The study was a prospective, population-based study of 23,909 patients on LTOT from 1987 to 2015 in the Swedish National Register of Respiratory Failure (Swedevox). We assessed the prevalence, incidence, and structure of LTOT; completeness of registration in Swedevox; and validity of prescription and management of LTOT in Sweden according to seven published quality indicators.Results: LTOT was prescribed by 48 respiratory or medicine units and managed mainly by specialized oxygen nurses. Swedevox had a stable completeness of 85% of patients starting LTOT since 1987. The national incidence of LTOT increased from 3.9 to 14.7/100,000 inhabitants over the time period. In 2015, 2,596 patients had ongoing therapeutic LTOT in the registry, a national prevalence of 31.6/100,000. Adherence to prescription recommendations and fulfillment of quality criteria was stable or improved over time. Of patients starting LTOT in 2015, 88% had severe hypoxemia (partial pressure of arterial oxygen [PaO2] &lt;7.4 kPa) and 97% had any degree of hypoxemia (PaO2 &lt;8.0 kPa); 98% were prescribed oxygen &ge;15 hours/day or more; 76% had both stationary and mobile oxygen equipment; 75% had a mean PaO2 &gt;8.0 kPa breathing oxygen; and 98% were non-smokers.Conclusion: We present a structure for prescription, management, and follow-up of LTOT. The national registry effectively monitored adherence to prescription recommendations and most likely contributed to improved quality of care. Keywords: LTOT, oxygen, respiratory failure, hypoxemia, COP