Trajectory of the arterial-alveolar oxygen gradient in COPD for a decade.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic respiratory failure (CRF) is a critical complication in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is characterized by an increase in the arterial-alveolar oxygen gradient (A-aDO2). The long-term trajectory and prognostic significance remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the prognostic impact of A-aDO2 and elucidate its trajectory over ten years.

Methods

We enrolled 170 outpatients with COPD from a prospective cohort study. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analyses were conducted annually for ten years while monitoring the development of CRF.

Results

157 patients completed the observation period, of whom 21 developed CRF (CRF group) and 136 did not (non-CRF group). In the CRF group, there was a gradual increase in A-aDO2 along with

SUBMITTER: Nagata K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11778628 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature