Evaluation of the association between long-term oxygen therapy adherence and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease which is characterized by airflow obstruction. It is classified as very severe the group of COPD patients with Respiratory Failure present, that means inadequate oxygen and carbon dioxide arterial pressure. Long-Term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT) is recommended for COPD patients with chronic hypoxemia. Studies have associated the therapy with better quality of life and less mortality, but the adherence to this treatment is still under discussion. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between LTOT adherence and quality of life in patients with very severe COPD. Patients and Methods: Observational retrospective longitudinal study of COPD patients who use LTOT followed in "Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu (Unesp)". The study will use the results of spirometry, pulse oximetry, arterial gases and body composition exams. It will also use the results of quality of life, anxiety and depression questionnaire, dyspnea scale and adherence of LTOT evaluation (oxygen flow rate and quantity of hours). All the exams and questionnaire were previously conducted in the past project "Indicadores prognósticos em pacientes tratados com oxigenoterapia domiciliar prolongada (Prognostic indicators in patients treated with long-term oxygen therapy)". (AU)