How Many Hours Do I Need To Use My Oxygen?
New Study Shows 15 Hours Per Day Is Enough
Dear Dr. Mahler:
For the past 2 years, I have been using oxygen since being discharged from the hospital after a COPD flare-up. I was told to use the oxygen at a setting of 2 for 24/7. However, I find this requirement somewhat onersome.
I am 72 years old and use a nebulizer for my three different medications. I also go to a maintenance pulmonary rehab program at the local hospital here in Dayton.
My question is, How many hours do I really need to use the oxygen? When I take the oxygen off for 5 - 10 minutes, my sat stays around 87-88% and my breathing is fine. I an very conscientious about using oxygen at night when I sleep.
Thanks for your answer.
Kenny from Dayton, OH
Dear Kenny:
Your question comes up a lot from patients in my practice at Valley Regional Hospital. As you probably know, the general target for oxygen saturation is 92% with the understanding that oximeters have an accuracy of +/- 2%. Certainly, an oxygen level of 87-88% is acceptable as long as you are feeling fine and not short of breath.
Patient breathing oxygen via nasal prongs
Oxygen Therapy Study published in the New England Journal of Medicine
On September 10, 2024, Dr. Ekstrom and colleagues from Sweden published a study on the Daily Duration of Oxygen Therapy for Severe Hypoxemia (low oxygen level). This study results were publish in the New England Journal of Medicine.
How Was The Study Conducted? The study included 241 adults who were started on oxygen therapy for chronic severe low oxygen level at rest. They were assigned by chance to use long-term oxygen for either 24 or 15 hours per day. The primary outcome was a composite of hospitalization or death from any cause within one year.
Patients. Of the 241 patients, 59% were women and the average age was 76 years. 71% had COPD and 14% had pulmonary fibrosis.
Results. At one year, the rate of hospitalization or death from any cause was similar between the two treatment groups. Also, the number of adverse events (such as burn injuries, fall-related injuries, and nosebleeds was similar for the two groups.
Conclusion: Among patients with severe low oxygen levels, long-term oxygen therapy used for 24 hours per day did not reduce the risk of hospitalization or death within one year compared with use for 15 hours per day.
Realistic Use of Oxygen
Kenny – the results of this study provide reassurance for how you are currently using oxygen. As long as you are feeling fine and not short of breath, it is reasonable for you to remove the oxygen for periods of time. This can help with dryness of the nose and possible irritation from the nasal prongs.
In an editorial to the article, Drs. Taichman and Drazen commented that the findings of the study make long-term oxygen therpy less burdensome. You do not have to be compulsive about always using oxygen for fear of something bad happening.
Please note, the advice provided is not a substitute for asking your health care professional about your specific situation.
Sincerely,
Donald A. Mahler, M.D.