Survival of patients with chronic respiratory failure on long-term oxygen therapy and or non-invasive ventilation at home.

Background & Aims: Chronic respiratory failure (CRF) is the common fate of respiratory diseases where systemic effects contribute to outcomes. In a prospective cohort of home-treated patients with CRF, we looked for predictors of long-term survival including respiratory, nutritional and inflammatory dimensions.

Methods: 637 stable outpatients with CRF, 397 men, 68 ± 11 years, on long-term oxygen therapy and/or non-invasive ventilation from 21 chest clinics were enrolled and followed over 53 ± 31 months.

C-reactive protein and body mass index predict outcome in end-stage respiratory failure.

Study Objective: To determine the predictive factors of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage respiratory disease.

Design: Prospective, multicenter cohort study.

Setting: Thirteen outpatient chest clinics within the Association Nationale de Traitement à Domicile de l'Insuffisance Respiratoire.

Nutritional depletion in patients on long-term oxygen therapy and/or home mechanical ventilation.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in outpatients on long-term oxygen therapy or home mechanical ventilation, to determine the relationships between malnutrition and impairment/disability and smoking and also to identify relevant tools for routine nutritional assessment. In 744 patients (M:F 1.68, aged 65+/-15 yrs) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, 40%), restrictive disorders (27%), mixed respiratory failure (15%), neuromuscular diseases (13%) and bronchiectasis (5%), body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass (FFM), serum albumin, transthyretin, 6-min walking test, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and blood gases were recorded.

Specific changes in n -6 fatty acid metabolism in patients with chronic intestinal failure.

Background And Aims: In patients presenting severe malabsorption, essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency can be corrected by intravenous lipids, but EFA abnormalities persist. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of large resection of the small bowel or malabsorption on plasma phospholipid EFA profile.

Methods: The plasma phospholipid EFA composition was measured by gas chromatography in home parenteral nutrition patients with (n=13) or without small bowel resection (n=7) and in 14 healthy subjects.

[A 1993-1995 epidemiological survey of home parenteral nutrition in approved centers for adults in France].

Objectives: A 1993-1995 three year epidemiological survey of home parenteral nutrition was performed through in France in approved centers for adults.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected each year on a standardized questionnaire focussing on indications and short term outcome.

Results: All centers (n = 14) participated in the study and 524 new adult patients were recruited.