Getting long-term oxygen therapy right (Lancet Global Health comment)

The Lancet Global Health Commission on medical oxygen security makes huge strides in advancing our understanding of this global issue.1 However, it does not address long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) security for exertional and resting hypoxaemia. LTOT is cost-effective, improves quality of life and functional status among individuals with severe exertional hypoxaemia from chronic respiratory diseases such as interstitial lung disease, and reduces mortality in those with chronic severe resting hypoxaemia from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).2 Hence, in addition to the Commission's recommendations, we urge global health organisations, governments, health systems, clinicians, and advocacy groups to address key areas related to LTOT in future oxygen security efforts (figure). Key areas include development of data collection platforms, defining judicious use of existing LTOT resources, improving infrastructure to achieve equity in access, investing in new technologies, and accelerating global efforts to reduce chronic hypoxaemia burden.

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