Home Oxygen for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

On the basis of studies conducted many years ago, long-term supplemental oxygen is recommended for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO₂) ≤88%. Whether supplemental oxygen benefits patients with less-severe desaturation is unclear.

This multicenter U.S. trial involved 738 patients with stable COPD and moderate resting desaturation (SpO₂ 89%–93%) or moderate exercise-induced desaturation during a 6-minute walk test (SpO₂ <90% for ≥10 seconds, but ≥80% for ≥5 minutes). Patients were randomized to receive either supplemental oxygen (continuously for those with resting desaturation; only during sleep and exercise for those with exercise-induced desaturation) or no supplemental oxygen.

During…