New research commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programme will assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of home oxygen therapy for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).
Around 669,000 people over the age of 45 are thought to have heart failure in the UK. Patients with CHF may develop arterial hypoxia (low blood oxygen levels) during episodes of acute decompensation, which can have adverse effects on cardiac function. It is unknown to what extent patients with chronic stable heart failure have hypoxia, but up to 50% die within one year. Hypoxia can arise from the condition itself, or can arise from disturbed breathing at night, resulting in interrupted sleep, daytime sleepiness and reduced ability to function. Home oxygen therapy (HOT) is one treatment prescribed for both daytime hypoxia and sleep disordered breathing, but it is expensive and potentially burdensome for patients and carers. There is also limited evidence of effectiveness or cost-effectiveness for oxygen therapy in patients with CHF. Researchers at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, led by Professor Andrew Clark, will assess the use of HOT and its effectiveness at improving disease severity and symptoms in patients with CHF. “There are no current recommendations based on clear evidence of effectiveness or costeffectiveness for the continuous use of home oxygen therapy by patients with chronic heart failure,” said Professor Clark. “We hope this trial will provide clearer guidance on the use of home oxygen therapy for patients with this condition.”
