PhD defence Bettine Anna Hildegard Vosse

Keywords: Home ventilation, Myotonic dystrophy, Muscular diseases, Adherence to treatment

"Home Mechanical Ventilation In Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1: Exploring Patient-Specific Treatment Response"

Home ventilation in myotonic dystrophy: tailored care for every patient

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an inherited muscle disease that also weakens the muscles used for breathing. As a result, many patients develop breathing problems, especially during sleep. Home mechanical ventilation, delivered through a mask, can support breathing — but until now, scientific evidence for its use in DM1 has been limited. In her PhD research, Bettine Vosse investigated the effects and practical use of home ventilation in people with DM1. She found that the treatment can improve gas exchange and quality of life, although not all patients continue using it in the long term. Interestingly, factors such as age, lung function, or cognitive problems did not predict treatment success. These findings highlight that home ventilation can be valuable for people with DM1, provided that care is individualized and closely monitored.

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