Palliative Oxygen for Dyspnoea in Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): H E Uronis, D C Currow, D C McCrory, G P Samsa, A P Abernethy
Primary Institution: Duke University Medical Center
Hypothesis
Does oxygen therapy improve symptoms in mildly hypoxaemic or non-hypoxaemic cancer patients with breathlessness?
Conclusion
Oxygen did not provide symptomatic benefit for cancer patients with refractory dyspnoea who do not qualify for home oxygen therapy.
Supporting Evidence
- Oxygen failed to improve dyspnoea in mildly- or non-hypoxaemic cancer patients.
- Five studies were included in the meta-analysis, with a total of 134 patients.
- Results were stable in sensitivity analysis excluding studies requiring imputed quantities.
Takeaway
The study found that giving oxygen to cancer patients who are not severely low on oxygen doesn't help them feel better when they have trouble breathing.
Methodology
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing oxygen and medical air in cancer patients not qualifying for home oxygen therapy.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to small sample sizes and the subjective nature of dyspnoea assessment.
Limitations
The sample size was small, and the studies included had varying quality and methods of measuring dyspnoea.
Participant Demographics
Median age was 65, with 39% females; most had lung cancer.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.16
Confidence Interval
−0.22 to 0.04
Statistical Significance
p=0.16
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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