An article published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine reports that the use of palliative care and oxygen therapy are on the rise in COPD patients.
A total of 151,912 individuals with advanced COPD were identified in Ontario between 2004 and 2014. The researchers found:
- A 1% increase per year in the use of formal palliative care services, from 5.3% in 2004 to 14.3% in 2014.
- Use of long-term oxygen therapy increased 1.1% per year, from 26.4% in 2004 to 35.3% in 2013.
- Opioid use remained stable (40% in 2004 and 41.8% in 2014).
- The likelihood of using formal palliative care services and long-term oxygen therapy was lower among younger individuals.
