Domiciliary oxygen for interstitial lung disease

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Retrospective survival data have suggested poor effectiveness of oxygen therapy in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD).<h4>Objectives</h4>To determine the effect of domiciliary oxygen therapy on survival and quality of life in patients with a diagnosis of ILD and hypoxaemia.<h4>Search strategy</h4>Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were identified using the Cochrane Airways Group register and the search terms: (home OR domiciliary AND oxygen AND (Interstitial lung disease OR ILD OR pulmonary fibrosis OR IPF)).<h4>Selection criteria</h4>Any randomized controlled trial (RCT) in adult patients with hypoxaemia and ILD that compared long term domiciliary or home oxygen therapy with a control group.<h4>Data collection and analysis</h4>Only one unpublished RCT was identified.<h4>Main results</h4>Only one trial was identified. Mortality for both the oxygen treated and control groups was approximately 91% after 3 years (Peto odds ratio 0.99, 95% confidence intervals 0.16,6.26). The effect of oxygen therapy on quality of life and physiological parameters was not reported.<h4>Reviewer's conclusions</h4>The assumption that home oxygen therapy has a beneficial survival effect in patients with ILD has not been demonstrated in the single RCT identified.