Effective delivery of ambulatory oxygen in interstitial lung disease- a crossover trial

Introduction: Portable oxygen concentrators(POC) are lighter and easier to manoeuvre than portable oxygen cylinders, but their ability to meet oxygen requirements of interstitial lung disease(ILD) patients is unknown. Aim: To compare the effects of ambulatory oxygen delivered during exercise using either a POC(Inogen OneG2) or a standard portable cylinder in individuals with ILD. Methods: This randomised crossover trial included individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of ILD with oxygenhaemogloblin saturation (SpO2) Results: Ten individuals with ILD (7 male) mean(SD) age 72(7) years, TLCO 46(13)% predicted, and forced vital capacity 70(17)% predicted were recruited. There was no difference in nadir SpO2 between 6MWTs with POC or portable cylinder 82(3)% vs. 81(6)% respectively (p=0.43). Distance achieved on the 6MWT was significantly greater with POC than portable cylinder 519.4(98.15) vs. 503.5(88.4) metres (p=0.023), but there was no difference in Borg scores for dyspnoea or leg fatigue at the end of either test (p>0.05). Only two participants (n=8) preferred the use of oxygen cylinder over POC during exercise. Conclusion: Oxygen desaturation during exercise in people with ILD is similar when using POC or a portable cylinder. Greater manoeuvrability of the POC, and patient preference for it, suggest POC may be a more acceptable means of delivering oxygen for people with ILD.