Publications by authors named "Hans H Mehrkens"
Objective: To evaluate the duration of benefit on symptoms, quality of life, and survival derived from the use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation by patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Design: In this prospective, cohort study, 30 of 36 consecutively referred symptomatic patients tolerated nightly noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation and undertook pulmonary function testing and 12 symptom and quality-of-life instruments concerning sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, physical fatigue, mental fatigue, and depression that were administered during a 10-mo period.
Results: With treatment, there was a significant improvement in the majority of patients in sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, physical fatigue, and depression; however, significant improvements lasted for up to 10 mo only in sleep quality.