Table 1

 Patient characteristics on entry to the trial

DiagnosisAge(years)Diurnal Pao2(kPa)Diurnal Paco2(kPa)Vital capacity(l)
Values are shown as mean (SD) except age which is shown as median (range); mean (SD).
DMD, Duchenne muscular dystrophy; CMD, congenital muscular dystrophy; BMD, Becker muscular dystrophy; CMT, Charcot Marie Tooth neuropathy; LGMD, limb girdle muscular dystrophy; KS, kyphoscoliosis; SMA II, spinal muscular atrophy type 2.; NIV, non-invasive ventilation Pao2, Paco2, arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions.
Group 1: Control18 (7–46); 21 (11)10.27 (1.4)6.03 (0.39)0.81 (0.61)
    DMD (n = 3)
    CMD (n = 2)
    BMD (n = 1)
    CMT (n = 1)
    SMA II (n = 1)
    Beal’s syndrome (n = 1)
    Osteogenesis imperfecta (n = 1)
Group 2: Randomised to NIV18 (11–51); 26 (14)10.70 (0.87)5.79 (0.66)1.01 (0.34)
    DMD (n = 2)
    CMD (n = 3)
    Congenital KS (n = 3)
    Poland’s syndrome (n = 1)
Group 3: Elective NIV22.5 (10–66); 28.3 (15.6)10.19 (2.23)7.47 (1.92)0.53 (0.19)
    DMD (n = 8)
    CMD (n = 3)
    LGMD (n = 1)
    Congenital KS (n = 4)