Isolated exertional hypoxaemia is common in interstitial lung disease (ILD) and is associated with breathlessness, reduced exercise capacity, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality.1–3 Recommendations for providing ambulatory oxygen are primarily based on laboratory studies showing improvement in symptoms and exercise parameters with oxygen administration.4,5 Despite this evidence, there is a paucity of clinical trials providing real-world results to support routine oxygen prescriptions in people with ILD who only desaturate with activity.
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine published a clinical update in Critical Care on 26 Feb 2026.
The item focuses on The PFOX trial: exertional hypoxaemia in fibrotic ILD.
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