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.

Full version

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))