Author(s)
D. K. Kim, F. L. Jacobson, G. R. Washko, R. Casaburi, B. J. Make, J. D. Crapo, E. K. Silverman, C. P. Hersh
ISBN
1532-3064 (Electronic)
0954-6111 (Linking)
Publication year
2011
Periodical
Respir Med
Periodical Number
8
Volume
105
Pages
1211-21
Author Address
Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
BACKGROUND: Severe hypoxemia is a major complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Long-term oxygen therapy is beneficial in hypoxemic COPD patients. However, the clinical and radiographic predictors of hypoxemia and the use of oxygen therapy are not well described. This study aimed to find the correlates of resting hypoxemia and the pattern of oxygen use in moderate to severe COPD patients. METHODS: Subjects with GOLD stage II or higher COPD from the first 2500 COPDGene subjects were included in this analysis. All subjects were current or ex-smokers between ages 45 and 80. Severe resting hypoxemia was defined as room air oxygen saturation (SpO(2))