TY - JOUR T1 - Measuring adherence to long-term assisted ventilation JF - ERJ Open Research JO - erjor DO - 10.1183/23120541.RFMVC-2020.06 VL - 6 IS - suppl 4 SP - 06 AU - Caroline Chao AU - Linda Rautela AU - Luke Mcdonald AU - David Berlowitz AU - Simon Conti AU - Mark Howard AU - Liam Hannan Y1 - 2020/02/13 UR - http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/6/suppl_4/06.abstract N2 - Introduction: Non-adherence to long-term assisted ventilation may risk persistent symptoms, unplanned hospitalisations or premature mortality for those requiring this treatment.  Previous studies have reported non-adherence rates of up to 50% but limited data are available from Australian populations.Aim: The primary aim was to determine the usage of long-term non-invasive ventilation (NIV) during the initial six months of therapy.  Secondary aims were to examine adherence patterns across demographics, disease groups and locations of care.Methods: A prospective observational study was undertaken enrolling consecutive patients commencing NIV at a centralised home mechanical ventilation service.  Participant usage (minutes per day) was collected over the first 6 months of therapy via manual device downloads.  Adherence per month was categorised as an average usage of greater than 4 hours per night.Results: Data from 86 of 100 participants enrolled was available for analysis.  Missing data was due to device malfunction or failure to attend follow-up.  The majority (65%) of participants had a diagnosis of motor neuron disease (MND) and were implemented on NIV in an outpatient setting (72%).  Twenty two percent, all with MND, died within the study period.  During the first month after NIV initiation, people with MND were significantly less likely to be able to adhere with NIV, compared with those with other diagnoses (27/56 (48%), versus 22/30 (73%), p=0.028).  At study conclusion (6 months or the month prior to death in those with MND), overall adherence was 61%.Conclusion: Non-adherence is common in those commencing NIV, especially in people with MND, despite enrolment within a centralised home mechanical ventilation service.FootnotesCite this article as: ERJ Open Research 2020; 6: Suppl. 4, 06.This is an ERS Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation Conference abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only). ER -