Factors influencing compliance with non-invasive ventilation at long-term in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1: A prospective cohort

- Compliance with non-invasive ventilation is poor in patients with no subjective symptoms of hypercapnia.
- Cessation is more frequent in the cases of excessive leaks, ventilator dysfunction, or high body mass index.
- Cessation is less frequent for patients with a professional occupation.

This study evaluated compliance with non-invasive ventilation in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 and identified predictors of cessation at 5 years in a cohort of patients followed in a specialist center for Neuromuscular Diseases in France. Mechanical ventilation in these patients poses a very strong challenge to caregivers.Factors predicting relative compliance were identified using multivariate linear regressions. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios associated with risk of cessation. One hundred and twenty-eight patients were included. Compliance during the first year was higher when symptoms of respiratory failure were initially present (+25%, p < 0.003) and lower in the case of acute respiratory failure (−29%, p < 0.003). Long-term compliance was associated with symptoms of respiratory failure (+52%, p < 0.0001) and nocturnal arterial oxygen desaturation (+23%, p < 0.007). Cessation was more frequent in the cases of excessive leaks (HR = 7.81, IC [1.47-41.88], p < 0.01), ventilator dysfunction requiring emergency technical intervention (HR = 12.58, IC [1.22-129.69], p < 0.03) or high body mass index (p < 0.02). Cessation was less frequent for patients with a professional occupation or undergoing professional training (HR = 0.11, IC [0.02-0.77], p < 0.02). Compliance with non-invasive ventilation is poor in patients with no subjective symptoms of respiratory failure. It may be improved with appropriate education and follow-up.