Long Term Oxygen Therapy In Patients Of Copd In Kashmir - Adherence And Barriers To Adherence

BACKGROUNDCOPD is a growing global threat considering its increasing prevalence, morbidity and mortality. The only modality of treatment that has been proven to alter the late course of this disease is the long term oxygen therapy (LTOT). Considering that an increasing number of COPD patients are getting a prescription of LTOT, this study was done to recognize the common barriers that prevent its adequate compliance.METHODSA pre-set questionnaire was administered to patients and their caregivers regarding LTOT prescription, compliance to LTOT and reasons for their poor compliance to LTOT.RESULTS58 COPD patients included in the study completed the questionnaire. Only 12 (21.4%) patients used the recommended oxygen for more than 15 hours per day to give them the therapeutic benefit. 21 (37.5%) patients received recommended advice for the duration of using supplemental oxygen each day from their treating physicians. None of the patients received education about the correct use of using oxygen therapy at home.CONCLUSIONSOxygen usage among patients who have been prescribed home oxygen therapy is far from optimal, and both patient and physician related factors are responsible for it. Thus, the knowledge of major factors responsible for poor compliance of LTOT stresses upon the need for proper education of the treating physician and proper advice and counselling for this treatment modality at the time of prescription, for the patient.