• X Deng, Y Cai, and Z Fang.
• The 5th People's Hospital of Shanghai, 200240, China.
• Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi. 2001 Nov 1; 24 (11): 655-9.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of long-term domiciliary oxygen therapy (LTDOT) on patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with hypoxaemia.MethodsSixty-one hypoxemic cases with stable COPD were divided into two groups--the LTDOT group of 30 patients and the control group of 31 patents. Before LTDOT and one year or two years later, the lung function test, blood routine, electrocardiography and ultra-echocardiography were tested, the psychological status and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated with the hospital anxiety and depression score and QOL questionnaire respectively. Both groups received routine treatment. In addition,the LTDOT group received oxygen therapy at home with nasal cannula with the oxygen flow of (0.5 - 2.5) L/min for at least 15 hrs every day.ResultsThirteen patients in the LTDOT group died two years later, the mortality rate was 43%; eleven patients in the control group died. In LTDOT group hemoglobin, red blood cell count and hematocrit did not change after one year and two years, the hemoglobin, red blood cell count and hematocrit in the control group did not change after one year but the hemoglobin and red blood cell count increased significantly after two years (P < 0.05); ECG showed that the value of RV1 + SV5 in the LTDOT group remained stable (P > 0.05), which in the control group increased (P < 0.05). After one year and two years, mean pulmonary artery pressure in the LTDOT group declined significantly (P < 0.05). The internal diameter of right ventricle of the heart and the outlet of right ventricle of the heart declined significantly (P < 0.05), but those in the control group increased significantly (P < 0.05). In the LTDOT group, the anxiety and depression scores were significantly improved (P < 0.05) after one year or two years, the total mean score of QOL, general activity score, social activity score, depression and anxiety scores were significantly improved (P < 0.05), but in the control group the anxiety and depression scores did not change (P > 0.05), the total mean score of QOL, social activity score, the anxiety score were significantly worse(P < 0.05).ConclusionsLong-term domiciliary oxygen therapy could reduce the load of the right heart, improve the patients's psychological status and quality of life.

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