Longer daily oxygen use associates with more adverse events, symptoms, and worse health status in long-term oxygen therapy.

IntroductionUse of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) for more than 15 h per day does not reduce mortality or hospitalizations, but may increase the risk of adverse events. We evaluated the relationship between daily oxygen use duration and adverse events, symptoms, and health status in patients on LTOT.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional survey study of a random sample (N = 650) of adults with ongoing LTOT in Sweden. Oxygen use (h/day) was reported, and associations were analyzed with adverse events, symptom severities (revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment System), sleep duration and quality, and health status (COPD assessment test [CAT]).ResultsIn total, surveys from 204 patients were analyzed; 60% female, mean age 75.3 (SD 8.7) years. Swedevox baseline characteristics were similar between sampled respondents and non-respondents. Patients reporting 24 h of daily oxygen use (53.4%) also reported a higher number of total adverse events, higher ratings of dyspnea, depression and anxiety, and worse health status, compared to those reporting fewer hours of oxygen use. A longer daily duration of oxygen use also associated with a higher number of experienced adverse events, higher ratings of dyspnea and anxiety, and worse rated health status in crude and adjusted linear regression models. No associations were seen between oxygen use duration and sleep quality or duration.ConclusionMore adverse events, a higher severity of some symptoms, and worse health status are seen among patients with a longer daily duration of oxygen use. Further research is needed to establish evidence of causality.