European journal of neurology : the official journal of the European Federation of Neurological Societies
-
Observational Study
Treatment of respiratory impairment in patients with motor neuron disease in the Netherlands: patient preference and timing of referral.
We assessed the first evaluation at a large ventilation clinic in the Netherlands to: (i) determine what proportion of patients with motor neuron disease would benefit from earlier referral; and (ii) examine the patient preferences regarding ventilatory support. ⋯ A meaningful proportion of patients who desire ventilatory support are referred to a ventilation clinic after already developing respiratory failure. Future studies could examine means, including more sensitive respiratory measures, to detect those patients who could benefit from earlier referral.