The aim of the study was to analyse pulmonary function and to identify reliable prognostic factors associated with respiratory abnormalities in a consecutive series of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Pulmonary function was evaluated by means of a battery of measures, including maximal voluntary ventilation, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume, in 71 consecutive patients with primary and secondary progressive MS. Respiratory impairment was common in MS patients, occurring in 63.4% of all patients, ranging from 82.9% in non-ambulatory patients (with EDSS score >6.5) to 35.7% in ambulatory patients (with EDSS score <6). Severity of illness and cerebellar and mental impairment were significantly negatively associated with basal pulmonary function. Coordination plays an important role in determining respiratory abnormalities: respiratory abnormalities were found in 27 out of 32 patients (84.4%) with severe cerebellar impairment. The presence of severe cerebellar signs was associated with a very high risk of occurrence of respiratory impairment (O.R. = 6.24; 95% C.I. 1.71-22.82). Other significant variables were severity of illness (EDSS score > 6.5) (O.R. =4.71; 95% C.I. 1.42-15.66) and long disease duration (> 15 years) (O.R. = 3.39; 95% C.I. 1.01-11.42).

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In rehabilitation patients receiving prophylactic heparin doses, the D-Dimer test seems to confirm high sensitivity and high negative predictive value for VT and PE. Relevant clinical variables seem to reduce the usefulness of the D-Dimer test as a screening tool for VT, at least in orthopaedic patients with joint prosthesis.

Abstract. Introduction. The transition from paternalistic medicine to a healthcare culture centred on the patient's decision making autonomy presents problems of communication and understanding. Chronic respiratory failure challenges patients, their families and caregivers with important choices, such as invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy, which, especially in the case of neuromuscular diseases, can significantly postpone the end of life. Material and Methods. A 7-item questionnaire was administered to 100 patients with advanced COPD, neuromuscular diseases and pulmonary fibrosis, all of them on oxygen therapy and receiving day-hospital treatment for respiratory failure. The objective was to find out whether or not patients, if faced with a deterioration of their health condition, would want to take part in the decision making process and, if so, how and with whom. Results. Results showed that: 90% of patients wanted to be interviewed, 10% preferred not to be interviewed, 82% wanted to be regularly updated on their clinical situation, 75% wanted to be intubated, if necessary, and 56% would also agree to have a tracheostomy. These choices have been confirmed one year later, with 93% of respondents accepting the questionnaire and considering it useful. Conclusions. It is possible to conclude that a simple questionnaire can be a useful tool contributing to therapeutic decision making in respiratory failure.Key words: chronic respiratory failure, COPD, neuromuscular diseases, pulmonary fibrosis, therapeutic decisions, intubation, tracheostomy, end of life.Riassunto (Le decisioni di fine vita nell'insufficienza respiratoria cronica. Le scelte terapeutiche in un questionario di 7 domande). Introduzione. Il cambio dalla medicina paternalistica verso una cultura della salute centrata sull'autonomia decisionale del paziente genera problemi di comunicazione e comprensione. L'insufficienza respiratoria cronica sfida i pazienti, le loro famiglie e i curanti con scelte importanti come la ventilazione meccanica non invasiva o invasiva, che nelle malattie neuromuscolari può notevolmente posticipare la fine della vita. Materiali e Metodi. Un questionario (STIR -Scelte Terapeutiche nell'Insufficienza Respiratoria) con 7 domande è stato somministrato a 100 pazienti con BPCO avanzata, fibrosi polmonare o una malattia neuromuscolare, tutti in ossigenoterapia a lungo termine e in cura presso il Day Hospital. L'obiettivo era di capire se i pazienti con un peggioramento delle loro condizioni di salute volevano partecipare nei processi decisionali e, se sì, come e con chi. Risultati. 90% volevano essere intervistati, il 10% rifiuta di partecipare; 82% vuole essere informato regolarmente sulle proprie condizioni di salute, 75% vuole essere intubato, se necessario, e il 56% accetterebbe anche la tracheostomia. Queste scelte sono state confermate dopo un anno, con 93% di pazienti che accettavano il questionario e lo consideravano utile. Conclusioni. Un semplice questionario può essere un mezzo di aiuto utile...

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