[Relationship between activities of daily living and residential environment for patients receiving home oxygen therapy].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between ADL and residential environment for patients receiving home oxygen therapy.

Methods: We interviewed 27 HOT patients with chronic respiratory failure, aged 53-85, at an internal medicine outpatient clinic of a national hospital in Yokohama city, using a questionnaire focusing on physical condition, dyspnea, ADL, and residential environment.

Results: 1. Of the patients 21 (78%) were III-IV level by Hugh-Jones classification. HOT patients experienced severe dyspnea when climbing stairs and bathing. Their ADL was limited to within their own homes. HOT patients opt to use taxies more often than facilities such as buses and trains. 2. Out of 20 patients living in a two-story house, the ADL of 16 (80%) were limited to downstairs. Two patients living in apartment houses without an elevator complained of great difficulties in going down stairs to go out. Twelve of the patients (44%) interviewed resided in hillside area, the distance to the nearest bus stop being greater than in flat area. 3. A public financial support for house innovation has been offered for some time, but most of the patients did not have any information about this system. They had not realized how their residential environment might affect their ADL.

Conclusion: These results suggest that more education for HOT patients is needed. They should be clearly shown the importance of the residential environment in enhancers their ADL.