Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation: Symptomatology, Well-Being, and Attitudes to Life

Although prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) is increasingly common, little is known concerning patient symptom burden or attitudes toward PMV. This study aims to describe the mood, well-being, distressing symptoms, and attitudes toward prolonged ventilation among PMV patients treated either at home or long-term acute care (LTAC).

An observational study.

62 communicative participants treated with PMV, aged ≥18 years, insurees of a single HMO, treated at home hospital or LTAC specializing in ventilation in Jerusalem.

Sociodemographic characteristics; chronic conditions; functional status; symptom burden measured by revised Edmonton Symptomatic Assessment System (r-ESAS); attitudes toward PVM.

Participants were aged 61.7 ± 20.7 years, commonly suffered progressive neuromuscular disease (43.5%) or chronic lung disease (29%), were functionally dependent, treated at home (64.5%) or LTAC (35.5%), and had a mean PMV duration of 36.6 months (interquartile range 10.8-114.1). The 5-item, short Geriatric Depression Scale identified depression among 38% of participants, and was less at home vs LTAC (34% vs 44%, P < .001). Mean revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment System score was 24.5 ± 14.8 (maximum severity = 100), and participants reported severe or distressing symptoms for tiredness (27%/20%), pain (10%/25%), anxiety (16%/14%), depression (9%/21%), drowsiness (12%/17%), shortness of breath (9%/15%), poor appetite (7%/9%), and nausea (0%/10%). Impaired general well-being was reported as severe, moderate, mild, or none among 15%, 40%, 30%, and 15%, respectively. Only 1 patient had advance directives concerning ventilation prior to intubation, and when asked if they had to choose again today, 85% of patients would again opt for ventilation.

Few PMV patients reported distressing symptoms, and 85% would choose ventilation if asked again. These findings might be useful in clinical practice to assist in decision making concerning prolonged ventilation.