P063 Long-term Non-invasive Ventilation in Patients with COPD: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Domiciliary long-term non-invasive ventilation (LT-NIV) is an accepted therapy for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic hypercapnia. This study aimed to characterise patients with COPD who were commenced on LT-NIV. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients prescribed LT-NIV with a primary physician-diagnosis of COPD, between June 2016 and March 2022 at an Australian tertiary hospital. RESULTS: 333 patients were commenced on LT-NIV, of whom 67 (20%) had COPD. Inpatient LT-NIV Initiation: 53/67 (79%) were commenced on LT-NIV during an inpatient admission with acute exacerbation of COPD. Patients were elderly (age, mean 69± SD 9.5 years), predominantly female (60%) with moderate-severe COPD (FEV1 37±18%) and mild-moderate comorbidity burden (Charlson Comorbidity Index Score 2.1±1.4). Prior to LT-NIV, 64% patients had a sleep study with 15% having severe OSA (AHI≥30 or ODI≥30). 30% previously required acute NIV. Pre-admission non-exacerbated PaCO2 was 58±7.3mmHg During admission, all inpatients demonstrated hypercapnia (PaCO2≥45mmHg). Peak inpatient PaCO2 was 87±20mmHg, with persistent hypercapnia on discharge 58±9.0mmHg. On discharge, IPAP and EPAP settings were 17±3.8 and 7.7cm±2.7cmH2O respectively. There was a non-significant reduction in respiratory-related and all-cause hospitalizations in the 12-months following LT-NIV initiation (p=0.66 and 0.53 respectively). Outpatient LT-NIV Initiation: [Further data collection in progress] DISCUSSION: This study illustrates the real-world prescription of LT-NIV for COPD at our centre, with the majority being initiated in the inpatient setting, rather than early outpatient reassessment. A prospective multi-centre analysis is required to better understand the nuances of LT-NIV prescription in patients with COPD.