Noninvasive ventilation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: effects on sleep quality and quality of life

Objectives: Little is known about the effects of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) on sleep quality in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We aim to evaluate the long-term effects of NIV on sleep quality and quality of life in patients with ALS.Methods: In this prospective observational study, 13 ALS patients were followed for one year after initiating NIV. We evaluated sleep quality, quality of life and functional status with several questionnaires: Epworth sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI), Short Form 36 Health Questionnaire (SF-36), McGill Quality of Life questionnaire (McGillQoL) and revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale scores (ALSFRS-R).Results: Median and interquartile range (IQR) at the start of NIV was 59 (53–65) years. The ALSFRS-R at start was 30 (24–37) (median, IQR), with three patients having severe bulbar impairment (ALSFRS-R-bulbar ≤ 9). The PaCO2 at start of NIV treatment was 48 (43–52) mmHg (median, IQR). During the one-year follow-up perio...