In COPD patients with resting hypoxemia, home oxygen therapy has been shown to increase survival, reduce hospitalization, and improve quality of life. Which therapy is being described?

• A. Oxygen
• B. Bronchodilators
• C. Corticosteroids
• D. Chronic antibiotic use

Answer: (A)

Long-term oxygen therapy is the intervention described. In COPD with resting hypoxemia, providing supplemental oxygen at home for extended periods has been shown to increase survival, reduce hospitalizations, and improve quality of life. Correcting chronic low blood oxygen levels reduces hypoxic stress on the heart and lungs, decreases hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, and lowers the risk of complications like polycythemia and right heart strain. Landmark trials demonstrated mortality benefit when oxygen is used for many hours each day, making it a disease-modifying therapy in this setting. While bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and chronic antibiotics help manage symptoms and exacerbations, they do not confer the same proven survival advantage in patients with resting hypoxemia.