EFFECTS OF OXYGEN ON DYSPNEA IN HYPOXEMIC TERMINAL-CANCER PATIENTS

Dyspnoea is a frequent and devastating symptom of advanced cancer. The purpose of this prospective, double-blind, crossover trial was to ass ess the effects of supplemental oxygen on the intensity of dyspnoea. 1 4 patients with hypoxaemic dyspnoea due to advanced cancer were random ised to receive either oxygen or air; the gases were delivered at 5 L/ min by mask. After 5 min of stable oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry), patients were crossed over to receive the other treatment. The crosso ver was repeated twice. Dyspnoea was assessed with a visual analogue s cale (0 = no dyspnoea, 100 = worst dyspnoea). Mean difference in dyspn oea visual analogue scale between air and oxygen treatment was 20.5 (9 5% confidence interval 13.5 to 27.6). 12 patients consistently preferr ed oxygen to air; similarly, the investigator consistently chose oxyge n for the same 12 patients. In a global rating questionnaire, patients reported little or no benefit during the air phase compared with mode rate to much benefit during the oxygen phase. We conclude that oxygen is beneficial to patients with hypoxia and dyspnoea at rest.