[Nocturnal oxygen therapy in chronic obstructive bronchitis?].

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease suffer often from sleeping disorders. A cause for these complaints is the disturbed respiration during sleep. By such ventilatory alterations arterial oxygenation is decreased and periodic severe desaturation may occur. For investigation of oxygenation during the night, pulse oximetry is suited best. For difficult problems polysomnography may be used. Treatment is based primarily on optimal anti-obstructive therapy with bronchodilators and antiinflammatory agents and an adapted physical therapy. In selected patients administration of oxygen by a nasal tube is advantageous. Patients with severe desaturation and with an overlap syndrome profit most from additional oxygen treatment. Survival can thus be prolonged and the quality of life is improved.