Abstract
Ambulatory oxygen therapy is often provided to patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) to improve breathlessness and quality of life. Lightweight portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) provide an alternative to traditional portable systems such as compressed oxygen cylinders. However, their efficacy in patients with ILD has not been assessed. This study aimed to compare the clinical performance of a POC versus a compressed oxygen cylinder during 6-minute walk tests (6MWTs) in patients with ILD.
Methods: Ten patients with ILD of varying aetiologies with exertional oxygen desaturation to <90% during 6MWT were recruited. Each participant underwent two-day assessment: Day 1 - two 6MWTs on room air; Day 2 - in random order, one 6MWT breathing oxygen via the Inogen One G2 POC (setting of 6) and one with a compressed oxygen cylinder (5L/minute). The oxygen devices were matched for weight by adding additional weight to the POC.
Results: There was no significant difference in mean nadir oxygen saturation during 6MWTs between the Inogen One G2 POC and the compressed oxygen cylinder (82.3% versus 80.3% respectively, p = 0.14). More participants desaturated to less than 80% during 6MWTs using the compressed oxygen cylinder (50%), compared to the POC (20%). Both devices provided equivalent oxygenation at rest (p = 0.70). There was no significant difference in distances walked using either device (p = 0.52). Five participants preferred the POC while only one preferred the compressed oxygen cylinder.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that in patients with ILD and exertional desaturation, the Inogen One G2 POC had equivalent clinical performance to the compressed oxygen cylinder during walking.
- Copyright ©the authors 2017
