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Domiciliary oxygen for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A J Crockett1, J M Cranston, J R Moss
1Respiratory Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia, AUSTRALIA, 5042. alan.crockett@flinders.edu.au
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|October 18, 2000
Summary
Long term oxygen therapy improves survival for severe hypoxemic COPD patients. It does not significantly benefit those with moderate hypoxemia or nocturnal desaturation alone.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Domiciliary oxygen therapy is a primary treatment for hypoxemic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Evidence regarding its impact on long-term outcomes is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of domiciliary oxygen therapy on survival and quality of life in COPD patients.
- To synthesize findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on long-term oxygen use.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of RCTs identified through the Cochrane Airways Group COPD register.
- Inclusion criteria: RCTs in hypoxemic COPD patients comparing long-term domiciliary oxygen with control.
- Data extraction performed independently by two reviewers.
Main Results:
- Five RCTs were identified; data aggregation was possible for only two trials.
- Continuous oxygen therapy showed improved mortality in one trial (24 months).
- Domiciliary oxygen therapy demonstrated improved mortality in another trial (5 years).
- No significant mortality benefit was observed for nocturnal oxygen therapy or in moderate hypoxemia.
Conclusions:
- Long-term oxygen therapy enhances survival in selected COPD patients with severe hypoxemia (PaO2 < 8.0 kPa).
- Oxygen therapy did not improve survival in patients with moderate hypoxemia or isolated nocturnal desaturation.