[Possibilities in the use of ambulatory oxygen therapy in practice]

Of 524 patients suffering from chronic obstructive bronchopulmonary disease and cryptogenic fibrotizing alveolitis according to accepted criteria 49 patients were selected fro long-term domestic oxygen treatment. In the course of 3-4 weeks comprehensive treatment of the basic disease 10 patients improved to such an extent that ambulatory oxygen therapy was no longer indicated. One patient was eliminated from treatment because he was a heavy cigarette smoker. In eight patients ambulatory oxygen therapy was started. The remaining 30 patients, i.e. 61%, fully indicated for oxygen treatment did not have ambulatory treatment because oxygen concentrators are not available. This shortage must be rapidly resolved.