Retrospective evaluation of patient compliance in continuous oxygen therapy.
BACKGROUND
Prescription of continuous oxygen therapy (COT) for correct indications, adequate education of the patients, and a regular and sufficient oxygen intake are essential.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the indications of COT prescriptions in six different centers around Istanbul and patient compliance.


METHODS
The initial data of the cases were taken from hospital records and throughout the study personal visits were done as well as arterial blood gas (ABG) analyses.


RESULTS
86 patients out of 110 (78.1%) were found to be eligible candidates for COT. Daily duration of therapy was more than 15 h in 55 (43.3%) and more than 12 h in 14 (11%) of the cases. During therapy, mean PaO(2) values have increased from 52.1 +/- 11 to 58.6 +/- 12 mm Hg (p < 0.001), while mean PaCO(2) values have decreased from 50.16 +/- 9.6 to 48.02 +/- 9 mm Hg (p < 0.05). 98 of the cases (77.1%) stated that they had benefited from the therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that COT is an effective treatment modality, but patient compliance remains a problem.
Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey. hande2t@mynet.com
Hande
H
Demirel
Tuncalp
T
Demir
Sema
S
Umut
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D010349:Patient Compliance; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies