[Long-term oxygen therapy: mortality rate, short-term predictive mortality factors].

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Cardiology
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Chronic respiratory insufficiency necessitates interventions like long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT).
• Adherence to national guidelines for LTOT prescription is crucial for patient outcomes.
• Understanding mortality predictors and hospitalization impact is vital for managing patients on LTOT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the one-year survival rate of patients receiving LTOT.
• To identify short-term predictors of mortality in this patient group.
• To assess the effect of LTOT on COPD exacerbation-related hospitalizations.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 416 patients initiated on LTOT (2012-2014).
• Kaplan-Meier method for survival curve estimation.
• Cox regression and McNemar tests for mortality and hospitalization analyses.

Main Results:

• One-year survival rate was 75% in the cohort (average age 70±10 years, 78% COPD).
• Predictors of mortality included coronary insufficiency, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, and osteoporosis.
• A 28% reduction in COPD exacerbation hospitalizations was observed post-LTOT initiation.

Conclusions:

• One-year mortality with LTOT was approximately 25%.
• Coronary insufficiency, reduced ejection fraction, and osteoporosis are significant one-year mortality predictors.
• LTOT demonstrates a positive impact by reducing hospitalizations for COPD exacerbations.