ABSTRACT
Objective To study the clinical application value of long term home noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in the therapy of silicosis patients with type 2 respiratory failure. Methods A total of 85 silicosis patients with type 2 respiratory failure were enrolled, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. According to the therapeutic method, they were divided into noninvasive positive pressure ventilation group (group A) and basic therapy group (group B). The various indicators of the patients were analyzed before and after the treatment including vital signs, laboratory indicators, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), and modified dyspnea index (mMRC). The admission times, length of hospital stay and annual mortality of the patients were also recorded by follow-up after the treatment for one year. Results After the one year follow-up, the heart rate, respiratory rate, PaO2, PaCO2, SO2％, 6MWD, and mMRC of group A were significantly improved than those of group B (all P<0.05). The admission times and the length of hospital stay of group A were lower than those group B (all P<0.05). There was no difference in the annual mortality between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions The therapeutic method of home noninvasive positive pressure ventilation has significant effects on silicosis combined with type 2 respiratory failure. It can improve clinical symptoms and the quality of life, and reduce the length of hospital stay and admission times, and reduced medical insurance burden.