Applicability of different comorbidities scores in chronic mechanical ventilation

Abstract

Background: The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) is the usual score considered for short and long-term outcomes in home Non invasive ventilation (NIV), other scores have not been used.

Aims and objective: To determine the predictive value of different comorbidities scores for long-term outcomes in patients treated with home NIV.

Methods: Observational study of the cohort of patients treated with home NIV from January of 2006 to October of 2017. ALS patients were exclude. The scores tested were the CCI, the Elixhauser comorbidity index (ECI), the Chronic disease score (CDS) and the Functional comorbidity index (FCI). Cox and logistic regression models were performed to determine the association of scores with the following outcomes: mortality, acute-on-chronic respiratory failure episodes, ER visits and all cause admissions.

Results: A total of 352 patients were included, 182 were men (51.7%), with a mean age of 66.9±14.8 years. The mean scores were: CCI (1.8±1.3); ECI (3.9±2.2); CDS (3.1±1.9); and FCI (2.4±1.5). In the Cox regression model only CCI associated statistically with mortality (Table 1). Logistic regression showed that ECI was associated with all-cause admissions (Table 2). No other associations were found.

Discussion: CCI was the only score associated with mortality, and EHI was associated with all-cause admissions.