Search results for "Original Research Letter"

Unstable control of breathing can lead to ineffective noninvasive ventilation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2019

Upper airway obstruction with decreased central drive (ODCD) is one of the causes of ineffective noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim of this study is to determine the mechanism responsible for ODCD in ALS patients using NIV. This is a prospective study that included ALS patients with home NIV. Severity of bulbar dysfunction was assessed with the Norris scale bulbar subscore; data on upper or lower bulbar motor neuron predominant dysfunction on physical examination were collected. Polysomnography was performed on every patient while using NIV and the ODCD index (ODCDI: number of ODCD events/total sleep time) was calculated. To determine the possible …