Publications by authors named "Andre 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.
Background: Patients with COPD and chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF) are at high risk, and noninvasive ventilation at home is increasingly being used. Knowledge of prognostic parameters under these conditions is limited but may be clinically helpful and highlight the role of noninvasive ventilation.
Methods: In 188 patients with COPD (mean +/- SD FEV1, 31.
Background: Natriuretic peptides are considered as reliable indicators of left-heart failure (HF) and are useful for differential diagnosis of dyspnoea.
Aim: We evaluated the clinical significance of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF).
Methods: In 60 patients with CHRF, plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP were assessed at baseline and after treatment including non-invasive ventilation (NIV).