[Quality and results of year-long home oxygen therapy in Poland]

Accuracy of qualification to LTOT and the results of one year of treatment were assessed in 12 regional centres in Poland. 390 patients with advances respiratory failure entered the study. There were 305 patients with COPD and 85 patients with other chronic lung diseases. The accuracy of qualification to LTOT in Poland is satisfactory--2/3 of patients were accepted to treatment with severe hypoxaemia (PaO2 55 mm Hg), the remainder with moderate hypoxaemia (PaO2 = 56-65 mm Hg) and signs of tissue hypoxia. After one year of treatment 6.5% of patients did not need LTOT and 13% stopped to fulfill the single entry criterion still needing treatment.