Are patients on long-term oxygen therapy followed up properly? Data from the Danish Oxygen Register.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess the extent and quality of follow-up of patients on LTOT.


METHODS
The Danish Oxygen Register.


METHODS
A total of 890 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who were on long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) during the period from 1 November 1994 to 31 August 1995.


METHODS
The extent and quality of follow-up.


RESULTS
Only 38.5% of the patients were followed up in the study period, and only 17.5% had a 'sufficient follow-up' defined as at least one follow-up visit within 10 months which included measurement of arterial blood gases or pulsoximetry with oxygen supply, verification that the patient used oxygen > or =15 h day-1 and was nonsmoker. Female gender, LTOT initiated 3-12 months ago, LTOT started by a chest physician at pulmonary department and LTOT prescribed > or =15 h day-1 were found to be significant predictors of 'sufficient follow-up' (odds ratio (OR): 1.7, 2.0, 3.7 and 1.9, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The extent and the quality of follow-up of patients on LTOT were poor, especially if a nonpulmonary physician initiated LTOT. We recommend that more attention should be paid on proper monitoring of LTOT, and that only chest physicians should be able to prescribe and re-evaluate LTOT.
Ringbaek
T J
TJ
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark. ringbaek@dadlnet.dk
Lange
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Viskum
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D000368:Aged; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012042:Registries; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D013997:Time Factors
D010100:Oxygen