Oxygen use overrated in end of life careThis study involved 240 participants in nine sites in Australia, the USA and the UK in a randomised, double-blind controlled trial to assess the effects of palliative oxygen versus room air in relief of breathlessness in patients with dyspnoea (shortness of breath). Shortness of breath is a common symptom in the very advanced stages of many life-limiting diseases. Clinical guidelines recommend oxygen use for shortness of breath only when blood oxygen levels fall below levels needed to maintain vital functions, but there are large numbers or patients whose oxygen levels are above this level but who experience chronic difficulty in breathing. Patients in this trial received either oxygen or room air for one week to assess if this eased their breathing difficulty. The same percentage in both groups reported the same degree of relief from each treatment. The study concludes that since oxygen delivered by a nasal cannula provides no additional symptomatic benefit for relief of refractory dyspnoea in patients with life-limiting illness compared with room air, less burdensome strategies should be considered after brief assessment of the effect of oxygen therapy on the individual patient. The study aimed to assist in decision making during palliative care, help in health service planning and ultimately enable clinicians and carers to give patients the best care possible at a time when they need it most. |
Key outcomes
Collaborators Southern Adelaide Palliative Services Duke Institute on Care at the End of Life, USA Cancer Council Tasmania Key contacts Professor David Currow, Principle Investigator |
