"A randomized trial of initiation of chronic non-invasive mechanical ventilation at home vs in-hospital in patients with Neuromuscular Disease and thoracic cage disorder":The Dutch Homerun Trial

Background: There is an increasing demand for home mechanical ventilation (HMV) in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency. At present, noninvasive ventilation is exclusively initiated in a clinical setting at all four centers for HMV in the Netherlands. In addition to its high societal costs and patient discomfort, commencing HMV is often delayed because of a lack of hospital bed capacity. Research Question: Is HMV initiation at home, using a telemonitoring approach, noninferior to in-hospital initiation in a nationwide study? Study Design and Methods: We conducted a nationwide, randomized controlled noninferiority trial, in which every HMV center recruited 24 patients (home [n = 12] vs hospital [n = 12]) with a neuromuscular disease or thoracic cage disorder, all with an indication to start HMV. Change in arterial CO 2 (PaCO 2) over a 6-month period was considered the primary outcome, and quality of life and costs were assessed as secondary outcomes. Results: A total of 96 patients were randomized, most of them diagnosed with neuromuscular disease. We found a significant improvement in PaCO 2 within both groups (home: from 6.1 to 5.6 kPa [P <.01]; hospital: from 6.3 to 5.6 kPa [P <.01]), with no significant differences between groups. Health-related quality of life showed significant improvement on various subscales; however, no significant differences were observed between the home and hospital groups. From a societal perspective, a cost reduction of more than €3,200 ($3,793) per patient was evident in the home group. Interpretation: This nationwide, multicenter study shows that HMV initiation at home is noninferior to hospital initiation, as it shows the same improvement in gas exchange and health-related quality of life. In fact, from a patient's perspective, it might even be a more attractive approach. In addition, starting at home saves over €3,200 ($3,793) per patient over a 6-month period. Trial Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT03203577; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov

A Randomized Trial of Initiation of Chronic Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation at Home vs In-Hospital in Patients With Neuromuscular Disease and Thoracic Cage Disorder The Dutch Homerun Trial

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing demand for home mechanical ventilation (HMV) in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency. At present, noninvasive ventilation is exclusively initiated in a clinical setting at all four centers for HMV in the Netherlands. In addition to its high societal costs and patient discomfort, commencing HMV is often delayed because of a lack of hospital bed capacity. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is HMV initiation at home, using a telemonitoring approach, noninferior to in-hospital initiation in a nationwide study? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a nationwide, randomized controlled non-inferiority trial, in which every HMV center recruited 24 patients (home [n = 12] vs hospital [n = 12] ) with a neuromuscular disease or thoracic cage disorder, all with an indication to start HMV. Change in arterial CO2 (PaCO2) over a 6-month period was considered the primary outcome, and quality of life and costs were assessed as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 96 patients were randomized, most of them diagnosed with neuromuscular disease. We found a significant improvement in PaCO2 within both groups (home: from 6.1 to 5.6 kPa [P <.01]; hospital: from 6.3 to 5.6 kPa [P <.01]), with no significant differences between groups. Health-related quality of life showed significant improvement on various subscales; however, no significant differences were observed between the home and hospital groups. From a societal perspective, a cost reduction of more than (sic)3,200 ((sic)3,793) per patient was evident in the home group. INTERPRETATION: This nationwide, multicenter study shows that HMV initiation at home is noninferior to hospital initiation, as it shows the same improvement in gas exchange and health-related quality of life. In fact, from a patient's perspective, it might even be a more attractive approach. In addition, starting at home saves over (sic)3,200 ($3,793) per patient over a 6-month period

Fatale pneumonitis door oseltamivir-resistente nieuwe influenza A(H1N1) bij een intensive-carepatiënt

A 58-year-old man was submitted to our intensive care ward with respiratory failure due to pneumonitis. He had previously been treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma by autologous stem cell transplantation, as a result of which bone marrow function was reduced. Further analysis showed infection with new influenza A(H1N1); typing revealed an oseltamivir-resistant subpopulation (H275Y). The patient was treated with oseltamivir and intravenously with zanamivir, but died of respiratory disease progression. This is the first published case of oseltamivir-resistant new influenza A(H1N1) infection in the Netherlands

Fatal pneumonitis due to oseltamivir-resistant new influenza A(H1N1) in the case of an intensive care patient

A 58-year-old man was submitted to our intensive care ward with respiratory failure due to pneumonitis. He had previously been treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma by autologous stem cell transplantation, as a result of which bone marrow function was reduced. Further analysis showed infection with new influenza A(H1N1); typing revealed an oseltamivir-resistant subpopulation (H275Y). The patient was treated with oseltamivir and intravenously with zanamivir, but died of respiratory disease progression. This is the first published case of oseltamivir-resistant new influenza A(H1N1) infection in the Netherlands.</p

Phrenic neuropathy and diaphragm dysfunction in neuralgic amyotrophy

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical phenotype and recovery of diaphragm dysfunction caused by neuralgic amyotrophy in a large cohort of patients, to improve accurate awareness of this entity, and to encourage adoption of a standardized approach for diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: This observational cohort study recruited adult patients with neuralgic amyotrophy and symptoms of idiopathic phrenic neuropathy from the database of the Dutch expert center for neuralgic amyotrophy and the Dutch centers for home mechanical ventilation. Demographic and clinical information on diagnosis, symptoms, and recovery was obtained from chart review. We attempted to contact all patients for a follow-up interview. RESULTS: Phrenic neuropathy occurs in 7.6% of patients with neuralgic amyotrophy. Unilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction and bilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction are frequently symptomatic, causing exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, disturbed sleep, and excessive fatigue. Diagnostic practices varied widely and were often not optimally targeted. The majority of patients experienced at least moderate recovery within 2 years. CONCLUSION: We recommend screening every patient with neuralgic amyotrophy for diaphragm dysfunction by asking about orthopnea and by performing upright and supine vital capacity screening and diaphragm ultrasound in cases of suspected phrenic neuropathy to optimize diagnosis and care