Experiences of using portable oxygen concentrators delivering oxygen or air among people with fibrotic interstitial lung disease in Australia: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Ambulatory oxygen therapy (AOT), defined as the use of oxygen during activities of daily living and exercise, may be prescribed to optimise quality of life and physical activity in people with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (fILD) with exertional hypoxaemia. The aim of this study was to compare patient experiences of ambulatory therapy with oxygen or air delivered via an identical portable oxygen concentrator (POC) in order to understand perceptions of therapy in both active and sham conditions. DESIGN: A qualitative study using semistructured interviews with open-ended questions was conducted over the telephone. SETTING: Participants data were used from a 6-month clinical trial of AOT (NCT03737409) in three hospitals in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Included participants were randomised 1:1 to receive AOT using a POC (oxygen group) or sham therapy using an identical POC delivering air (air group). Participants were instructed to use the POC whenever they were physically active over 6 months. Participants were blind to group allocation. Interviews were conducted after the intervention period and were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was used to report on experiences. RESULTS: 23 participants with fILD agreed to be interviewed (12 oxygen group, 11 air group). Participants presented with moderate to severe fILD. Four major themes with subthemes were identified in both groups: benefits of POC use, negative aspects of POC use, equipment features, personal decisions about POC use. Themes and experiences did not differ between oxygen and air groups. CONCLUSIONS: POC use provides benefits and challenges. Shared decision-making and consideration of the balance between perceived benefits and harms are required when prescribing this therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03737409.