RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Effect of long-term oxygen therapy on survival in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with moderate hypoxaemia. JF Thorax JO Thorax FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society SP 674 OP 679 DO 10.1136/thx.52.8.674 VO 52 IS 8 A1 D Górecka A1 K Gorzelak A1 P Sliwiński A1 M Tobiasz A1 J Zieliński YR 1997 UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/52/8/674.abstract AB BACKGROUND: To date only two controlled studies have been published on the effects of domiciliary oxygen treatment on survival in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with advanced respiratory failure. The survival in such patients despite oxygen treatment remains poor. The prescription of long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in less severe disease remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rationale for prescribing oxygen to patients with COPD with moderate hypoxaemia. METHODS: One hundred and thirty five patients with COPD, with PaO2 7.4-8.7 kPa (56-65 mmHg) and advanced airflow limitation (mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 0.83 (0.28) 1), were randomly allocated to a control (n = 67) and LTOT (n = 68) group. The patients were followed every three months for at least three years or until death. RESULTS: The cumulative survival rate was 88% at one year, 77% at two years, and 66% at three years. No significant differences were found in survival rates between patients treated with LTOT and controls, nor did longer oxygen use (over 15 hours per day) improve survival. Younger age, better spirometric values, and higher body mass index predicted better survival. CONCLUSIONS: Domiciliary oxygen treatment does not prolong survival in patients with COPD with moderate hypoxaemia. Airway limitation seems to determine survival in this group of patients.