Portable oxygen concentrators versus oxygen cylinder during walking in interstitial lung disease: A randomized crossover trial

Background and objective Ambulatory oxygen therapy is often provided to patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Lightweight portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) provide an alternative to traditional portable systems such as compressed oxygen cylinders; however, their efficacy in patients with ILD has not been assessed. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of three ambulatory oxygen systems (two different POCs and a compressed oxygen cylinder) during 6-min walk tests (6MWTs) in patients with ILD and exertional desaturation. Methods A total of 20 participants with ILD of varying aetiologies who demonstrated exertional desaturation to