A Review of Long-term Oxygen Therapy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Issue 1 (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alshabani, Khaled; Stoller, James K.
• Is Part Of: Clinical pulmonary medicine. Volume 25:Issue 1(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: COPD -- long-term oxygen therapy -- resting hypoxemia -- exercise-induced hypoxemia -- nocturnal hypoxemia; Lungs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.24005
• DOI: 10.1097/CPM.0000000000000235
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1068-0640

Abstract

Abstract : Supplemental oxygen is a time-honored therapy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with varying indications. Classic studies demonstrate the benefit of supplemental oxygen in COPD patients with resting hypoxemia used as close to 24 hours daily as possible. Yet, the role of supplemental oxygen in other clinical contexts for these patients (eg, mild resting hypoxemia, desaturation with activity only, or nocturnal desaturation) is less clear. The current paper reviews the evidence with regard to the use of supplemental oxygen for patients with COPD in these various settings. Recently, the Long-term Oxygen Treatment Trial, a randomized controlled trial that addressed the role of supplemental oxygen in patients with mild resting hypoxemia and/or exertional desaturation, showed no benefit in this setting on the basis of a composite outcome of all-cause hospitalization and mortality. Yet, some advocate individual trials of supplemental oxygen in such patients and basing treatment decisions on subjective benefit. Data with regard to the use of supplemental oxygen for such patients in other contexts are more sparse, and further study is clearly warranted for this commonly encountered clinical issue.