Survival and quality of life was measured in patients with chronic ventilatory insufficiency caused by different diseases.
Qualitiy of life was measured with the SF-36 and self-developed questionnaires. We found that quality of life is reduced in patients with chronic ventilatory failure, and also sexuality is reduced against normal population.
The main predictive factor for survival was the main diseasis. We found the BMI as a predictive factor in patients with COPD and restrictive thoracic failure. pCO2 and pH baseline as well as pCO2 after 3 months ventilation were predictive factors in all groups but patients with neuromuscular diseases.
Under long term ventilation quality of life and sexuality were increased, several physical parameters were influenced significantly.
