Table 1.
Baseline demographics and disease characteristics
| Early NIV (n = 20) | Standard NIV (n = 22) | |
| Age, years (SD) | 59.8 (13.7) | 62.1 (9.6) |
| Sex, % female | 45% | 59% |
| BMI, Kg/m2 (SD) | 27.1 (4.1) | 26.3 (4.6) |
| Time from onset to dg, months (range) | 7.40 (5.88–15.68) | 7.40 (4.04–12.43) |
| Time from dg to inclusion, months (range) | 8.47 (1.95–13.88) | 9.58 (2.16–15.82) |
| Site onset, limb% | 85% | 86.36% |
| ALSFRS-R (SD) | 33.3 (7) | 34.3 (7) |
| FVC, % predicted (SD) | 68 (5) | 68.8 (4.8) |
| MIP, cmH2O (SD) | 54.2 (25.4) | 51.7 (17.7) |
| Mean CT90, % (SD) | 8.16 (16.07) | 4.0 (6.76) |
| Mean nSaO2, % (SD) | 92.8 (1.6) | 93.4 (1.6) |
| PaCO2, mmHg (SD) | 37.5 (2.4) | 38.8 (2.8) |
BMI: Body Mass Index, dg: diagnostic, ALSFRS-R: Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale, FVC: Forced Vital Capacity, MIP: Maximal Inspiratory Pressure, CT90% : nocturnal saturation time below 90%, nSaO2: nocturnal oxygen saturation, PaCO2: daytime hypercapnia.