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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Evaluation of Motor Impairment in C. elegans Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published on: September 2, 2021
Patterns of Non-Invasive Ventilation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Nevena Markovic1, Marcus Povitz2, Joanne Smith3
11Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences,Western University,London,Ontario,Canada.
Background:
Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) improves quality of life and survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and respiratory symptoms. Little is known about the patterns of NIV use over time and the impact of NIV on end-of-life decision-making in ALS.
Objective:
This study assessed the pattern of NIV use over the course of the disease and the timing of end-of-life discussions in people living with ALS.
Method:
A retrospective single-center cohort study was performed at London Health Sciences Centre. Daily NIV duration of use was evaluated at 3-month intervals. The timing of diagnosis, NIV initiation, discussions relating to do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNAR) and death were examined.
Results:
In total, 48 patients were included in the analysis. Duration of NIV use increased over time, and tolerance to NIV was observed to be better than expected in patients with bulbar-onset ALS. There was a high degree of variability in the timing of end-of-life discussions in patients with ALS (356±451 days from diagnosis). In this cohort, there was a strong association between the timing of discussions regarding code status and establishment of a DNAR order (r2=0.93).
Conclusion:
This retrospective cohort study suggests that the use of NIV in ALS increases over time and that there remains a great deal of variability in the timing of end-of-life discussions in people living with ALS. Future prospective studies exploring the use NIV over the disease trajectory and how NIV affects end-of-life decision-making in people with ALS are needed.
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