Korean J Med.  2007 Oct;73(4):353-360.

Home oxygen therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Lee KH

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.

Keyword

Home oxygen therapy; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

MeSH Terms

Anoxia
Arterial Pressure
Humans
Insurance Benefits
Korea
Oxygen*
Prescriptions
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*
Respiration
Vascular Resistance
Oxygen