Effect of Dexamethasone on Nocturnal Oxygenation in Lowlanders With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Traveling to 3100 Meters: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

During mountain travel, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at risk of experiencing severe hypoxemia, in particular, during sleep.

Objective

To evaluate whether preventive dexamethasone treatment improves nocturnal oxygenation in lowlanders with COPD at 3100 m.

Design, setting, and participants

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel trial was performed from May 1 to August 31, 2015, in 118 patients with COPD (forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration [FEV1] >50% predicted, pulse oximetry at 760 m ≥92%) who were living at altitudes below 800 m. The study was conducted at a university hospital (760 m) and high-altitude clinic (3100 m) in Tuja-Ashu, Kyrgyz Republic. Patients underwent baseline evalu

SUBMITTER: Furian M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6484579 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature