Domiciliary Nasal High Flow and Patient Outcomes in Chronic Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure in the United Kingdom

Chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF) in the context of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) is associated with increased mortality. The availability and effectiveness of domiciliary Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) treatment (when indicated) is key as this treatment can improve quality of life and reduce health-care costs from associated burden of disease. The emerging obesity epidemic means that there is now increased home mechanical ventilation set-ups in patients with obesity related respiratory failure (ORRF), yet there are no alternative treatments for patients struggling with domiciliary NIV. Domiciliary NHF has been shown to improve health related quality of life in stable CHRF in patients with COPD and improve cost effectiveness yet there are no current studies looking at the use of domiciliary NHF and its outcomes in ORRF. The study aims to deliver a pre and post intervention study evaluating patient reported and clinical outcomes in patients using NHF over twelve weeks, who have either COPD or OHS and have been unable to use domiciliary NIV. The study wishes to address key outcomes such as quality of life, clinical effectiveness, compliance and acceptability with the use of domiciliary NHF in both of these patient populations.