Long-Term Oxygen Therapy in COPD

Abstract

Over the last decade, there has been substantial expansion in the use of chronically-administered oxygen among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Such expansion reflects the following two facts: (1) the major mortality and disability impact of COPD; and (2) the frequency of demonstrable hypoxemia among such patients. Ranking as the sixth cause of death in the United States, COPD is also second only to coronary artery disease as a cause of permanent disability among American adults. 1 Lertzman MM Cherniack RM Rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1976; 114: 1145-1165 PubMed Google Scholar The frequency of arterial hypoxemia among COPD patients is widely-appreciated and well-documented. 2 Block AJ Burrows B Kanner RF Lilker E Mithoefer C Petty T Oxygen administration in the home. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1977; 115: 897-899 PubMed Google Scholar , 3 Flick MR Block AJ Chronic oxygen therapy. Med Clin N Am. 1977; 61: 1397-1408 Crossref Scopus (4) Google Scholar , 4 Block AJ Low flow oxygen therapy: treatment of the ambulant patient. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1974; 110: 71-84 Google Scholar However, the use of long-term oxygen therapy implies a linkage between these two facts, one that has been difficult to establish. Put simply, that linkage requires a positive answer to the following question: Does relief of arterial hypoxemia alter either the mortality or the extent of disability among COPD patients?