Domiciliary oxygen therapy (or home oxygen therapy) is a treatment that has been shown to improve survival in hypoxernic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. The two key studies underpinning this evidence are almost 30 years old. Other causes of hypoxemia can also be treated with domiciliary oxygen but the clinical indications are less clear.
Currently there is still a need for clear recommendations about specific groups of patients to be treated, and about the optimal treatment modalities. In establishing such recommendations evidence related to clinical, economic and organisational aspects as well as convenience of therapy must be taken into account. Therefore, the KCE has integrated a health technology assessment (HTA) of home oxygen therapy in its 2009 program.