Abstract
Background.- The provision of ambulatory oxygen in addition to a stationary oxygen supply has been suggested to increase adherence to long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and promote ambulation. The degree of adherence to ambulatory oxygen therapy and the determinants of adherence remain largely unknown. Methods.- These were assessed in patients treated with LTOT (oxygen concentrator plus small oxygen cylinders with a demand oxygen delivery system [DODS]) in a tertiary care hospital supplied according to the Belgian criteria for LTOT refunding. Adherence to ambulatory oxygen was defined as mean use of ambulatory oxygen greater than 30 min/day. Patients- files were reviewed and a questionnaire was sent for assessing patients- view on the use of ambulatory oxygen. Results.- Forty-six patients were included. Mean use of ambulatory oxygen was 40±36 min/day. Twenty-three patients were adherent to ambulatory oxygen according to our definition. There was no difference between adherent and non-adherent patients regarding lung function or blood gases, nor was there any correlation between mean daily ambulatory oxygen use and any parameter. However, patients with MMRC 4 dyspnoea scale had a significantly lower use of ambulatory oxygen than patients with less severe dyspnoea (mean 33±24 vs 42±39 min/day ; P = 0.03) despite self reporting better adherence to LTOT. Conclusion.- Adherence to ambulatory oxygen in this series of patients is quite low but at the higher end of data reported previously. Patients with MMRC 4 dyspnoea scale had a lower use of ambulatory oxygen despite reporting better adherence to LTOT. We could not identify any other predictive factors of adherence to ambulatory oxygen.
Translated title of the contribution | Adherence to ambulatory oxygen therapy. Assessment and determinants in patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy |
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Original language | French |
Pages (from-to) | 873-880 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Revue des Maladies Respiratoires |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |