Last Updated on April 3, 2025 by Analgesia team
LTOT in COPD
LTOT, which stands for Long-term oxygen therapy, is a treatment that increases the amount of oxygen in a patient’s blood by delivering oxygen through a mask or tube. It’s often prescribed for people with chronic lung disease and low blood oxygen levels, such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Long-term oxygen therapy can: Improve quality of life, increase life expectancy, improve sleep quality, and improve oxygen delivery to vital organs.
It is administered through a small machine that filters oxygen from the air and delivers it through a tube to the patient’s nostrils. The patient should use the oxygen for at least 15 hours per day, but a respiratory consultant or nurse may recommend using it for up to 24 hours.
Benefits of LTOT
- Improved Survival Rates
- Research has shown that LTOT can significantly increase survival rates in patients with severe hypoxemia (low blood oxygen levels).
- It reduces the risk of complications like pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure.
- Enhanced Quality of Life
- By providing sufficient oxygen to the body, LTOT reduces symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, and confusion.
- Patients experience better energy levels, which enables greater participation in daily activities and social engagements.
- Relief from Hypoxemia Symptoms
- LTOT alleviates the effects of chronic oxygen deprivation, including headaches, irritability, and memory loss.
- Improved oxygenation can also reduce anxiety and depression associated with respiratory conditions.
- Improved Exercise Tolerance
- Oxygen therapy supports physical activity by reducing breathlessness during exercise.
- This enables patients to maintain mobility, participate in rehabilitation programs, and improve overall physical fitness.
- Reduced Hospital Admissions
- Regular use of LTOT has been linked to fewer exacerbations of respiratory disease, resulting in reduced hospitalizations.
- It provides a proactive approach to managing chronic conditions at home.
- Support for Cardiovascular Health
- LTOT helps reduce the strain on the heart caused by low oxygen levels.
- Improving oxygen delivery to tissues it lowers the risk of complications like pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.
- Enhanced Cognitive Function
- Adequate oxygen supply to the brain can improve cognitive function, concentration, and memory in individuals with chronic respiratory diseases.
- Better Sleep Quality
- Oxygen therapy can reduce nocturnal hypoxemia, which commonly disrupts sleep.
- Improved sleep contributes to better overall health and daytime alertness.
Limitations of Long-term oxygen therapy
- LTOT can be expensive and burdensome for patients and caregivers
- It can also be associated with psychological and social issues, as well as physical risks
- It can induce hypoventilation
Research on Long-term oxygen therapy
- Research has not provided definitive guidance regarding who should receive LTOT and how it should be delivered
- More research is needed to develop comprehensive guidelines to assist with oxygen self-management