The Particulars: A portable noninvasive open ventilation system has been shown in previous research to significantly improve respiratory muscle unloading, dyspnea, and exercise tolerance. The impact of the system on patients’ British Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores has yet to be determined.
Data Breakdown: For a study, a noninvasive open ventilation system was added to standard care for patients with chronic lung disease. The average mMRC and CAT scores before administration of the system were 3.3 and 27.2, respectively. At 1-year after administering the system, these scores decreased to 1.7 and 14.5, respectively.
Take Home Pearl: Patients with severe symptoms of respiratory insufficiency appear to obtain significant improvements in respiratory symptoms and health status after the addition of a noninvasive open ventilation system to their standard medical therapy.
