Introduction: The effectiveness of oxygen therapy in COPD patients is well known when the time of use is correct. Aim: The aim of our study is determinate the factors related with therapy adherence due to improve the leak time of oxygen therapy use we detect in our patients. Methods: We included all outpatients with COPD and with oxygen therapy from our hospital. We analyzed demographic, clinic and adherence data. Statistical analysis was made using Chi square, T-test and multivariate analysis. Statistical significance p<0.05. Results: We included 108 COPD patients with oxygen therapy (58.3% men; age:72.9±1.2). The median of treatment is 23.5 months (IQR:10.4–58.9). Most of them are chronic bronchitis (61%) and GOLD D (44.8%). At least one comorbidity in 89.8% (Charlson Index:5.7±0.2) and 73% have another respiratory comorbidity (41.5% OSA; 16.9% bronchiectasis; 41.6% other). The 79.6% use the therapy less than 16 h/day. There are differences statistically significant between the use registered by the concentrator and the self-referred use (9.8±0.6 vs 12±0.8 h/day; p<0.05). A statistically significant correlation is been detected between the self-referred use and qualification (r=-0.3; p<0.05). Some factors related with adherence were analyzed. Breathlessness degree (by mMRC) and the presence of comorbidity, like solid tumor, are statistically significant (p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively). However, there are not association with other factors (p>0.05). Conclusions: Most of the patients use the oxygen therapy less than the minimum of 16 hours/day. Only the degree of breathlessness and the presence of comorbidity could determinate the adherence. The self-referred use of the therapy is higher than the real.
Aim: The aim is to analyze the evolution of the OSA patients diagnosed 10 years ago. Methods: We included all patients diagnosed in 2005. We analyzed demographic, clinic, sleepiness and comorbidities at the moment of the diagnosis and at 5 and 10 years of follow up. We compare two groups: those that go on with the CPAP treatment after 10 years (group A) and those that gave it up (group B). Results: We included 173 OSA patients: 134 in group A and 39 in group B. Most of them were men (81.6%) of 63.8±1.9 mean age at diagnosis. Most had AHI>30 (72.2%) diagnosed by PSG (87.2%). There were patients with sleepiness (Epworth 12.2±0.5), active life (workers 81.3%), non-smokers (40.8%) and obese (IMC:37.6±2.7Kg/m2). At diagnosis at least 33.6% had one comorbidity. No statistical differences between groups. The reasons to give up the treatment were: death (12.8%), non-adherence (38.5%), patient decision (30.8%) and others (17.9%). Patients in group A maintained the therapy adherence throw the years (5.24h/night, 5.57h/night at 5 and 10 years respectively; p=0.43). During the follow up, patients presented new comorbidities (35.79% group A vs 65.52% group B; p<0.01). There were a statistical significative increase of the proportion of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia in both groups, but not significative between groups. In these 10 years 52.63% of patients in group A were recovered and 59.26% in group B (p=0.3); 38% by cardiovascular or respiratory reasons in A vs 47.37% in B (p=0.48). Conclusions: The main reasons to give up the treatment are: patients decision and adherence. Those that give up the treatment present an increase of the comorbidities. The presence of cardiovascular risk factor increase parallel in both groups.