Abstract
Motor neuron disease (MND) is best managed by a multi-disciplinary team, including a respiratory physician to assess for respiratory failure, for which non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is indicated. East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust has recently developed a regional neurology centre and has well established domiciliary ventilation services. The multi-disciplinary MND team was developed in 2008.
Aim: To review the management of MND in East Kent and the changes since the establishment of a multi-disciplinary MND team.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical notes of all patients diagnosed with MND over the last 10 years.
Results: Total number of patients with a diagnosis of MND was 65. 3 had familial disease (4.6%).
Conclusion: The number of patients managed by the East Kent team has increased 5fold since 2008. This perhaps reflects the need for teams closer to home, which leads to better access to specialist intervention including NIV which improves survival. The mean time from symptom to diagnosis has also reduced since the introduction of a multi-disciplinary team, as has the earlier need for PEG. Further analysis may identify the contributing factors.
- © 2012 ERS
