Management of pulmonary complications in neuromuscular disease

Restrictive lung disease occurs commonly in patients with neuromuscular disease. The earliest sign of respiratory compromise in the patient with neuromuscular disease is nocturnal hypoventilation, which progresses over time to include daytime hypoventilation and eventually the need for full-time mechanical ventilation. Pulmonary function testing should be done during regular follow-up visits to identify the need for assistive respiratory equipment and initiate early noninvasive ventilation. Initiation of noninvasive ventilation can improve quality of life and prolong survival in patients with neuromuscular disease.