Factors related to variability in long-term oxygen therapy prevalence

Area of Science:

• Respiratory Medicine
• Public Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is crucial for managing chronic hypoxemia.
• Understanding factors influencing LTOT prevalence is essential for equitable healthcare delivery.
• Variability in LTOT prescription and utilization necessitates investigation into organizational and demographic determinants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the variability in long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) prevalence.
• To identify organizational and population factors associated with LTOT prevalence.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, multicenter survey was conducted across 29 public hospitals.
• Data collected included hospital organizational structure and factors related to LTOT prevalence.
• Official data on LTOT prevalence and cost were obtained from local health authorities.

Main Results:

• Overall LTOT prevalence was 184 per 100,000 population, with significant regional variation (71-473).
• Centers with dedicated LTOT supervision units showed lower prevalence (169 vs. 237 per 100,000; P=0.03).
• Hospital altitude significantly influenced LTOT prevalence (r=0.73; P=0.005), with altitude explaining 50.4% of the variance.

Conclusions:

• Hospital altitude is a significant determinant of LTOT prevalence.
• The presence of specialized LTOT supervision staff impacts prevalence rates.
• Factors like age, prescriber attitudes, and specific oxygen saturation levels did not correlate with LTOT prevalence.