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Table 1 Characteristics of ALS patients at initiation of ventilatory assistance and results of neurological and respiratory assessments

From: Noninvasive ventilation reduces energy expenditure in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Parameters

Median [1st-3rdquartiles]

Anthropometric data

 

Age (years)

68 [56.5-73]

Gender (male/female)

12/4

BMI (kg/m2)

21.4 [19.1-26.6]

Smoking (yes/no)

10/6

Neurological assessment

 

ALS-FRS-R score

31 [26.5-35]

Norris bulbar score

35 [26.2-38]

Respiratory assessment

Dyspnea score on MMRC scale

3 [1-3.5]

Inspiratory contraction of inspiratory neck muscles during quiet breathing in supine position (yes/no)

16/0

Inspiratory contraction of inspiratory neck muscles during indirect calorimetry in sitting position (yes/no)

11/5

PaCO2 (mmHg)

45 [42.5-48]

PaO2 (mmHg)

73 [66.5-77.5]

Bicarbonate (mmol/l)

28 [27-29.5]

Time spent with SpO2 < 90% (% of recording time)

30 [6.2-72]

FVC sitting (ml)

1990 [1140-2045]

FVC sitting (% predicted)

47 [35-54]

FVC supine (ml)

1650 [847-2182]

FVC supine (% predicted)

38.5 [30-58]

PiMAX (cmH2O)

31 [19.7-58.2]

PiMAX (% predicted)

37 [19.5-55.2]

SNIP (cmH2O)

32 [16.5-40.2]

SNIP (% predicted)

39 [23.2-42.7]

  1. Abbreviations: ALS-FRS-R revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - Functional Rating Scale, BMI Body Mass Index, FVC Forced Vital Capacity, PaO 2 arterial oxygen tension, PaCO 2 arterial carbon dioxide tension, Pi MAX maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (measured from functional residual capacity; best of three maneuvers; data missing in 5 patients), SNIP Sniff Nasal Inspiratory Pressure (measured from functional residual capacity; best of ten maneuvers; data missing in 1 patients —in whom MIP was available—), SpO 2 transcutaneous pulsed oxygen saturation.
  2. Dyspnea was evaluated using the Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) scale.
  3. Grade 0: I only get breathless with strenuous exercise.
  4. Grade 1: I get short of breath when hurrying on the level or walking up a slight hill.
  5. Grade 2: I walk slower than people of the same age on the level because of breathlessness or have to stop for breath when walking at my own pace on the level.
  6. Grade 3: I stop for breath after walking about 100 yards or after a few minutes on the level.
  7. Grade 4: I am too breathless to leave the house or I am breathless when dressing.