[Tuberculosis sequelae: home care of patients]

Home oxygen therapy (HOT) is important in the management of patients with chronic respiratory failure. I evaluated 159 HOT cases in our hospital during the period of 1988-1989. According to the national annual survey during the same period, HOT cases with tuberculosis sequelae were 46% of total national sanitorial HOT cases and 26-30% of all Japanese ones. Oxygen enrichers, especially molecular sieve type, became major methods of oxygen delivery (almost 90%) in both cases mentioned above. In our study, however, there were more patients with tuberculosis sequelae (66%), and more oxygen cylinder users (40%). Portable oxygen supply was higher in our HOT cases, especially in patients with tuberculosis sequelae or chronic pulmonary emphysema, and in users of oxygen cylinders or liquid oxygen. By questionnaire, we confirmed the earnest desire by the patients for the lighter and long lasting portable oxygen supply system.