Publications by authors named "A P Hitzl"
Background & Aims: In patients with chronic respiratory diseases body mass index (BMI) is a predictor of long-term survival, whereas the prognostic value of body composition, especially fat-free mass index (FFMI), is unknown.
Methods: In a prospectively collected cohort of 131 patients (50 females, 81 males; 71% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 29% severe restrictive disorders) undergoing home mechanical ventilation (HMV) due to chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF), the prognostic value of nutritional composition assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis was evaluated during a 4-year follow-up and compared to that of BMI, anthropometrics, and functional parameters.
Results: After follow-up, 53 patients (40.
Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked with erectile dysfunction (ED), but it is unknown whether this association is maintained in the presence of other risk factors for ED.
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ED/sexual dysfunction and polysomnographic measures of sleep apnea in patients with known risk factors for ED.
Methods: Prospective cross-sectional analysis of 401 male patients undergoing in-lab polysomnography for suspected OSA.
Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is considered as an important outcome parameter in patients with chronic diseases. This study aimed to assess the role of disease-specific HRQL for long-term survival in patients of different diagnoses with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF).
Methods: In a cohort of 231 stable patients (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), n = 98; non-COPD (obesity-hypoventilation syndrome, restrictive disorders, neuromuscular disorders), n = 133) with CHRF and current home mechanical ventilation (HMV), HRQL was assessed by the disease-specific Severe Respiratory Insufficiency (SRI) questionnaire and its prognostic value was prospectively evaluated during a follow-up of 2-4 years, using univariate and multivariate regression analysis.
Background: The 6-min walk distance (6-MWD) is a global marker of functional capacity and prognosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but less explored in other chronic respiratory diseases.
Objective: To study the role of 6-MWD in chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF).
Methods: In 424 stable patients with CHRF and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) comprising COPD (n = 197), restrictive diseases (RD; n = 112) and obesity-hypoventilation-syndrome (OHS; n = 115), the prognostic value of 6-MWD for long-term survival was assessed in relation to that of body mass index (BMI), lung function, respiratory muscle function and laboratory parameters.
Background: Mouth occlusion pressure measurement is widely used for assessment of respiratory muscle function, particularly in patients with respiratory failure. However, its predictive value for long-term survival remains largely unexplored.
Methods: In 464 patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF) due to various underlying disorders and receiving non-invasive ventilation (NIV), maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PI(max)), mouth occlusion pressure at 100 ms during quiet breathing (P(0.