COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF OXYGEN THERAPY MODALITIES ON RESPIRATORY AND INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES IN ATHLETES WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of different oxygen therapy modalities on arterial blood gas indexes, pulmonary function, and serum inflammatory factors in athletes with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Ninety-two COPD patients, actively engaged in sports, were treated at our hospital from December 2020 to December 2022. Participants were divided into two groups, with 46 in each: one receiving low-flow nasal catheter oxygen therapy and the other undergoing transnasal high-flow humidified oxygen therapy. We compared the clinical outcomes, arterial blood gas indexes, lung function, and serum inflammatory markers between the two groups. Results: The overall treatment effectiveness was significantly higher in the high-flow oxygen therapy group (95.65%) compared to the low-flow group (76.09%) (P < 0.05). Improvements in arterial blood gases were notable, with lower carbon dioxide (PaCO2) levels and higher oxygen (PaO2) levels in the high-flow group (P < 0.05). Pulmonary function tests showed enhanced forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in the high-flow group (P < 0.05). Additionally, serum levels of inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly reduced post-treatment in the high-flow group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Transnasal high-flow humidified oxygen therapy demonstrates significant benefits over traditional low-flow methods in treating athletes with COPD. It effectively stabilizes arterial blood gases, enhances lung function, and mitigates the inflammatory response, thereby improving respiratory health and supporting continued athletic performance. These findings advocate for the use of high-flow humidified oxygen therapy in managing COPD in sports medicine, enhancing athlete care and recovery strategies.