Changing patterns in long-term noninvasive ventilation: a 7-year prospective study in the Geneva Lake area.

Study Objectives: To describe a 7-year follow-up (1992 to 2000) of patients who were treated by home nasal positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) for chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Design: Prospective descriptive study.

Setting: Two university hospitals and a pulmonary rehabilitation center.