[Appropriate use and effectiveness of chronic domiciliary oxygen therapy in Catalonia]

The aim of this study was to study the pattern of the use of chronic domiciliary oxigenotherapy (CDO) in Catalonia, Spain.

A transversal study including 110 patients randomly selected from a list of all the subjects with CDO (n = 3,585) was made. A domiciliary survey on the characteristics of the indication for CDO and its fulfillment was carried out. Two pulsioximetries were also performed one breathing room air and another with oxigen.

Of the 70 eligible patients the following factors were simultaneously observed in only 14 (20% of the total): adequate indication for CDO, use of oxigen at a flow which corrected the hypoxemia, and prescription fulfillment. The most important cause of inadequate usage of CDO was inappropriate indication since only 19 patients (27%) presented SaO2 less than or equal to 88%. Hypoxemia was not corrected in four of these 19 patients. Thirty-seven percent of the total admitted bad fulfillment, bot only one of the 15 patients with SaO2 less than or equal to 88% and in whom hypoxemia was corrected, recognized bad fulfillment. Sixty-nine percent of the patients had a document explaining the way and length of time they should receive the oxigen.

The inappropriate indication of CDO is the main factor influencing the low effectiveness of chronic domiciliary oxigenotherapy in Catalonia.