Ambulatory oxygen for treatment of exertional hypoxaemia in pulmonary fibrosis (PFOX): a multicentre, randomised, sham-controlled trial

AE Holland; M Hoffman; TJ Corte; DC Chambers; G Hepworth; MP Ekström; I Glaspole; NS Goh; YH Khor; AJ Palmer; C Barton; I Cox; L Dowman; J Einarsson; L Fuhrmeister; JA Mackintosh; P Neglén; JD Prasad; J Bucciarelli; S Scherp; M Sköld; N Smallwood; K Symons; M Thompson; CF McDonald

Journal article

Ambulatory oxygen for treatment of exertional hypoxaemia in pulmonary fibrosis (PFOX): a multicentre, randomised, sham-controlled trial

AE Holland, M Hoffman, TJ Corte, DC Chambers, G Hepworth, MP Ekström, I Glaspole, NS Goh, YH Khor, AJ Palmer, C Barton, I Cox, L Dowman, J Einarsson, L Fuhrmeister, JA Mackintosh, P Neglén, JD Prasad, J Bucciarelli, S Scherp Show all

Lancet Respiratory Medicine | Published : 2026

DOI: 10.1016/S2213-2600(26)00005-6

Abstract

Background: Ambulatory oxygen therapy can be used to treat exertional hypoxaemia during daily life activities in people with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, evidence for its efficacy is scarce. This trial aimed to compare the effects of ambulatory oxygen with ambulatory air on physical activity in daily life over 6 months in people with fibrotic ILD and isolated exertional hypoxaemia. Methods: This multicentre, parallel-group, randomised, sham-controlled trial was done at seven hospital sites in Australia and Sweden. Eligible participants were aged ≥18 years with fibrotic ILD and isolated exertional hypoxaemia (ie, oxyhaemoglobin saturation [SpO2] ≤88% on 6-min walk test)...

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