Home oxygen therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Hypoxemia is a common occurrence in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The presence and severity of hypoxemia correlated with the severity of pulmonary impairment. In this review, I describe the mechanisms and effects of hypoxemia, the benefits of home oxygen therapy and indications for its therapy and oxygen delivery systems. Home oxygen therapy may improve the survival, decrease pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. In addition to, home oxygen therapy improves exercise endurance, decreases resting oxygen cost of breathing, and improves neuropsychiatric performance and sleep quality. Because home oxygen therapy is costly therapy that confers various benefits, insurance reimbursements for its prescription is regulated in Korea. I address practical issues including documenting and reimbursement for home oxygen therapy and the processing home oxygen therapy that is necessary for the patients with COPD to receive oxygen.