%0 Journal Article %A Georgia Mitropoulou %A Raphael Heinzer %A Maura Prella %T Predictors of home use of mechanical insufflation/exsufflation devices: preliminary results from a cross-sectional study %D 2020 %R 10.1183/23120541.RFMVC-2020.08 %J ERJ Open Research %P 08 %V 6 %N suppl 4 %X Introduction: The mechanical insufflation/exsufflation device (MI-E) is an instrumental cough augmentation technique prescribed to patients with inefficient cough and recurrent infections. Its impact on respiratory complications, quality of life and survival remains unclear, and is possibly affected by the frequency of its use.Aim: To identify factors that influence the use of MI-E in the home setting.Methods: 26 patients with neuromuscular disease and an active prescription of an MI-E were studied. Clinical and demographic data were recorded as well as information concerning the use of the device. MI-E data was downloaded using dedicated software.Results: Table 1 illustrates patients’ characteristics. Fifteen patients (58%) reported regular use of the device, thirteen (50%) reported improvement of their respiratory symptoms, and nineteen (73%) were satisfied with the treatment. We found no associations between regular MI-E use and age, NIV use, bulbar involvement or a rapidly progressive neuromuscular disease. Institutionalised patients tend to use MI-E more regularly (78% vs 50%, p=0.229).Conclusion: MI-E improved reported respiratory symptoms in half of the patients. Our preliminary data suggest that regular use of the device is not associated with clinical parameters but is influenced by living facilities. This will have to be confirmed by further analysis. View this table:Table 1 FootnotesCite this article as: ERJ Open Research 2020; 6: Suppl. 4, 08.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). %U