Quality of Life and Stress Levels in Patients under Home Mechanical Ventilation: What Can We Do to Improve Functioning Patients at Home? A Survey Study

Background: Home mechanical ventilation (HMV) is becoming more widely available in many countries. Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure the health-related quality of life and stress levels of patients ventilated mechanically at home. The relation between quality of life and stress levels was investigated including multiple regression analysis. Methods: 100 patients treated with HMV in Poland were surveyed with the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Results: 26% of patients assessed their quality of life as bad or very bad and 34% as good or very good. Stress levels measured with PSS-10 Scale were high level. For the group of patients with neurological disorders, stress levels were significantly higher than for the group of patients with pulmonological disorders. Conclusions: The higher the stress levels of patients, the lower the quality of life in particular domains. Improving the living conditions of HMV patients can influence improving their quality of life.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life and stress levels of patients receiving home mechanical ventilation (HMV) and investigate the relationship between quality of life and stress levels through multiple regression analysis. A survey was conducted on 100 patients treated with HMV in Poland using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Findings showed that 26% of patients assessed their quality of life as bad or very bad, and 34% as good or very good. Stress levels measured with the PSS-10 Scale were high. The stress levels of patients with neurological disorders were significantly higher than those with pulmonological disorders. The study concludes that higher stress levels in patients are associated with lower quality of life in specific domains and that improving living conditions for HMV patients can enhance their quality of life.