Noninvasive ventilation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in palliative care
Keywords:
Palliative care, motor neuron disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, noninvasive ventilation, quality of life, survivalAbstract
The study highlights that respiratory failure is one of the main causes of mortality in patients with advanced-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) being the recommended standard treatment. The objective was to analyze the use of NIV in palliative care for ALS patients through a systematic review of the scientific literature. Searches were conducted in databases such as Cochrane Library, Medline, Scielo, and TripDatabase, applying the JBI critical appraisal tool and synthesizing the findings narratively. Out of 951 articles identified, 15 were selected, including 3,001 adult patients with a mean age ranging from 58.7 to 69.1 years, with a predominance of males. The reviewed studies reported significant benefits of NIV, particularly in improving respiratory function, correcting nocturnal hypoxemia, and slowing the decline of respiratory muscle strength, all of which contribute to better quality of life. In conclusion, early initiation of NIV in advanced ALS patients was shown to comprehensively improve their well-being and overall quality of life.
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