Noninvasive Ventilation for ALS Improves Survival and Quality of
Life By: Dee Rapposelli Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been
shown to ameliorate respiratory impairment, which, as the
disease worsens, is often responsible for death in patients with
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Its use, however, is
uncommon, and its overall value in improving quality of life and
survival has been debated. Findings of a randomized controlled
study by a team from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,
may shift clinicians' attitudes about the intervention. The
team, led by Honorary Clinical Lecturer Stephen C. Bourke, MD,
and Professor of Respiratory Medicine G. John Gibson, MDaeboth
from the University of Newcastle upon Tyneaeand Pamela J. Shaw,
MD, professor of neurology at Sheffield University, found that
NIV provided a survival advantage that was significantly better
than standard care and improved quality of life even in patients
with severe bulbar impairment. The researchers pointed out that
median survival f